United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told world leaders at COP28 in Dubai that the burning of fossil fuels must be completely stopped and that a reduction in their use would not be enough to stop global warming. He stated that “We cannot save a burning planet with a firehose of fossil fuels” and that “The 1.5°C target will only be possible if we stop burning all fossil fuels. We will not reduce. Let us not diminish.”
Guterres' position was categorical on the actions of fuel companies.
Guterres urged fossil fuel companies to invest in a transition to renewable energy sources and told governments to help by forcing this change, including through the use of extraordinary taxes on the industry's profits. He implored governments to help the industry make the right choice; regulating, legislating, establishing a fair price for carbon, ending fossil fuel subsidies and adopting an extraordinary tax on profits.
