United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a scathing critique of the global oil industry at the UN's high-level meeting on September 22, 2026. He accused major oil companies of treating the atmosphere like an "open sewer" and profiting from the consequences. Guterres' comments came as the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, including record-breaking temperatures in the northern hemisphere and devastating flooding in Nepal.
According to Guterres, five major Western oil companies have collectively earned nearly half a trillion dollars in profits since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This staggering amount stands in stark contrast to the mere $34 billion mobilized to help developing countries adapt to a warming world. The UN chief drew parallels between the "abuse of power" by the fossil fuel industry and the actions of Big Tobacco, emphasizing that those who have polluted the most and profited the most must take greater responsibility for repairing the damage.
Guterres' speech was preceded by alarming reports of extreme weather events and their devastating impacts. Nepal recently experienced severe flooding triggered by glacial collapse, while the world witnessed record-breaking temperatures during the northern hemisphere summer. The UN has warned that the world will temporarily breach the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5C relative to pre-industrial times.
Despite the dire situation, Guterres expressed hope, citing the rapid growth of global solar and wind energy. He noted that renewables have become the cheapest source of energy in most parts of the world. The UN chief emphasized that the dangers of climate change are real, but so is the potential for positive change.
As Guterres prepares to host a climate summit in the lead-up to the COP31 talks in Antalya, observers are watching for signs of increased ambition from countries heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Turkey and Australia, co-hosts of the summit, will face scrutiny for their commitments to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
Climate change has long been a defining focus for Guterres, who has consistently highlighted the urgent need for action. His efforts to push for greater ambition and cooperation among nations will be closely watched in the coming weeks and months. The outcome of the climate summit and the COP31 talks will be crucial in determining the world's ability to address the pressing issue of climate change.
The international community is eagerly awaiting concrete commitments from major emitters and a clear roadmap for achieving a low-carbon future. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, Guterres' call to action serves as a reminder that immediate and collective action is necessary to mitigate the worst impacts of global warming.
Key points
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticizes major oil companies for treating the atmosphere like an "open sewer."
- Guterres calls for greater responsibility from fossil fuel companies for repairing environmental damage.
- The world is expected to temporarily breach the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5C relative to pre-industrial times.
