“A fair, just, equitable, and urgent transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy is essential to avoid the worst of climate chaos and spur sustainable development,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his message to mark the International Day of Clean Energy.

“Clean energy is the gift that keeps giving. It can purify polluted air, meet growing energy demand, secure supplies, and connect billion of people to affordable power – helping to ensure electricity access to all by 2030. That is all while saving money and saving the planet,” the UN chief noted.

The Secretary-General also welcomed the call made recently by countries at COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, citing his belief that a fossil fuel phase out is not only necessary but inevitable. He stated that governments need to act, to accelerate the transition, with the biggest emitters leading the way. To do this, he added, much more climate finance is needed, as well as new national climate plans by 2025 that set out a fair and just transition to clean power.

The UN General Assembly established the international day in August when it adopted a resolution, recognizing that ensuring clean and affordable energy for everyone — Sustainable Development Goal 7 — is considered essential both to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and to reach the climate goals under the Paris Agreement.