Abu dhabi: UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell has called for faster global action to accelerate the energy transition, expand renewable energy, and mobilize investment, emphasizing that clean energy is central to growth, jobs, and stronger security.
According to Emirates News Agency, Stiell delivered these remarks during the General Assembly Informal Interactive Dialogue, 'Accelerating the Global Energy Transition: Advancing Renewables and Mobilising Investment.' He highlighted how recent conflicts have exposed the risks of reliance on fossil fuels, disrupting global energy markets and increasing prices for billions of people.
Stiell noted that conflict, economic downturns, and climate-related shocks have collectively impacted food security, with rising food prices and increased scarcity threatening the most vulnerable populations. He warned that continued dependence on coal, oil, and gas creates economic uncertainty and conflict, while a warming planet undermines peace and stability through hunger, displacement, and scarcity.
He stressed the importance of building resilience to escalating climate disasters alongside accelerating the energy transition, stating that renewables are cheaper, more accessible, and faster to deploy. The global energy transition, he mentioned, is irreversible but must accelerate to meet scientific demands, be fairer so every nation benefits, and ensure fairness for countries and communities historically dependent on fossil fuel revenues.
The UN official stated that renewables, electrification, and energy efficiency must advance together across countries and industries. He referenced commitments made at COP28 to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, triple renewable energy capacity, and double energy efficiency by 2030. He emphasized that climate cooperation is vital to achieving these goals, including regional cooperation through cross-border connections, power pools, and common standards, as well as global cooperation convened by the United Nations.
Stiell also highlighted the Global Climate Action Agenda's role in uniting governments, businesses, investors, and civil society to turn commitments into tangible projects. He noted that the incoming COP Presidency, Turkey, had announced Action Agenda targets, including a global electrification target of 35 percent by 2035.
He stressed the critical nature of finance for countries to benefit from the energy transition and build resilience. He urged developed countries to honor commitments to triple adaptation finance and deliver US$300 billion annually by 2035, as part of a clear pathway to scaling up to US$1.3 trillion annually. Stiell also called on multilateral development banks to expand concessional finance, guarantees, and policy-based lending, and to support countries in strengthening grids, improving policies and regulation, and building pipelines of bankable projects.
Stiell advocated for the integration of climate considerations across the United Nations' work on development, security, and economic resilience, asserting that faster energy transitions are increasingly central to national security strategies. "Doubling down on renewables and resilience is in every country's interests," he concluded, adding that immediate action is the foundation for long-term peace and security worldwide.