UN climate address puts spotlight on making fossil-fuel polluters pay

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on major polluters to pay for climate damage during his final climate address. Guterres stated that those who profited most from pollution must do more to repair the damage they caused. He encouraged governments, cities, and citizens to continue efforts to hold these companies accountable.

The address followed a presentation to the United Nations by the Make Polluters Pay International coalition, which included Greenpeace International, Oxfam International, 350.org, and Fossil Free Media. The coalition and frontline campaigners delivered petitions containing more than 2 million signatures demanding that governments adopt binding measures to make fossil-fuel companies contribute to climate costs.

The campaigners are seeking climate-damage taxes, fines, and permanent surtaxes on fossil-fuel profits. They propose that these revenues be used for recovery, adaptation, loss and damage, and a just transition to renewable energy. Throughout his term, Guterres has advocated for financial accountability through measures such as windfall taxes on oil and gas profits and solidarity levies.