In a landmark statement, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres declared that the world is nearing a breakthrough in its battle against climate change, emphasizing that fossil fuels are “running out of road” as the cost of renewable energy continues to plummet. Speaking in New York, Guterres painted a hopeful picture of the future, asserting that “the sun is rising on a clean energy age,” driven by cheaper solar and wind power, global investment shifts, and geopolitical urgency.
The UN chief underscored the staggering shift in energy economics: over 90% of renewable energy projects globally are now more cost-effective than fossil fuel-based alternatives. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), solar energy is already 41% cheaper than its cheapest fossil fuel counterpart, and onshore wind is less than half the price.
This clean energy boom is being propelled by China’s low-carbon manufacturing, expanding global usage, and record investments that topped $2 trillion last year $800 billion more than fossil fuels received. Guterres stressed that this moment is not just about climate change, but about economic security and geopolitical resilience. “There are no price spikes for sunlight. No embargos on wind,” he said, adding that fossil fuels now pose the greatest threat to energy security through volatility and dependence on politically unstable regions.
Despite the surge in renewables, energy demand continues to rise, particularly due to soaring temperatures and the rapid growth of AI-powered data centers. Guterres urged tech giants to commit to 100% low-carbon electricity by 2030 and called on all countries to use their updated national climate plans due this September under the Paris Agreement to redirect subsidies away from fossil fuels and into renewables.
He also warned that progress isn’t guaranteed. The IRENA report and a separate UN analysis pointed out bottlenecks in mineral supply chains and infrastructure. While renewable generation is expanding, investment in electricity grids is lagging behind with only 60 cents invested in grids for every dollar spent on generation. Experts warn this imbalance could slow the energy transition.
Fossil fuel interests remain strong in some nations, with the US under Donald Trump slashing clean energy incentives and India recently celebrating its billionth tonne of coal production. China continues to plan new coal-fired power plants even as it leads in renewables.
Still, Guterres latest message strikes a more optimistic tone than his past warnings of “global boiling” and “climate doom.” Francesco La Camera, IRENA’s director general, echoed the sentiment, calling the current moment “a clear path to affordable, secure and sustainable energy.”
Climate experts say the time is ripe for global leadership. “Any investment in new fossil fuels now is a fool’s gamble,” said Bill Hare of Climate Analytics. “Developing countries have huge renewable potential what they need is financing.” Kaysie Brown from E3G added that countries must bring bold national climate plans to COP30 in Brazil this November, emphasizing that “the technical solutions and economic imperative are already here.”
As the UN chief declared, the world has passed the point of no return for fossil fuels. The question now is whether nations will rise to the occasion or squander the moment.