By — Suzan Fraser, Associated Press Suzan Fraser, Associated Press By — Tammy Webber, Associated Press Tammy Webber, Associated Press By — Seth Borenstein, Associated Press Seth Borenstein, Associated Press By — Anton L. Delgado, Associated Press Anton L. Delgado, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/un-chief-says-immediate-and-drastic-emissions-cuts-needed-to-avert-climate-change-catastrophe Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter UN chief says 'immediate and drastic' emissions cuts needed to avert climate change catastrophe World Nov 13, 2026 2:45 PM EST ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — The world must immediately and drastically cut fossil fuel emissions to avert the most catastrophic effects of climate change, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Friday at his final climate summit, urging the world to "follow the science" and face hard facts. "You cannot build peace on a burning planet," Guterres told reporters, stressing that climate change is central to the U.N.'s work because it contributes to geopolitical instability by driving hunger and displacement, pushing countries into debt and fueling competition for land and water. READ MORE: At UN climate talks, 5 nations back…
UN chief says 'immediate and drastic' emissions cuts needed to avert climate change catastrophe
In short
António Guterres used his final climate summit in Turkey to warn that failing to curb emissions will severely derail efforts to eliminate poverty and maintain peace. Negotiations at COP31 remain tense regarding an initiative to boost electricity's global energy share to 35% by 2035 because the plan lacks strict clean power requirements. According to Climate TRACE, enforcing clean power generation would yield double the emissions cuts compared to relying on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, developing nations continue to push high-emitting countries for more financial assistance, though current adaptation targets fall severely short of reality.
Key points
- UN leadership warned that environmental destruction directly fuels geopolitical instabili…: UN leadership warned that environmental destruction directly fuels geopolitical instability by accelerating poverty, displacement, and resource competition.
- International energy talks face pushback because proposed electrification targets allow f…: International energy talks face pushback because proposed electrification targets allow fossil fuels rather than strictly mandating renewable power.
- Wealthy, high-emitting nations are under heavy pressure from vulnerable states to signifi…: Wealthy, high-emitting nations are under heavy pressure from vulnerable states to significantly expand funding to combat accelerating climate impacts.