UN Chief: 'Fossil Fuels Must Go the Way of the Dinosaurs'

World leaders and officials have gathered in Turkey for the third day of the UN climate summit, known as Cop31. The event is being held in Antalya, a city with a long history dating back to 200BC.

A notable absence has been felt at the talks: leaders from many of the world's biggest polluting nations have not attended. This has raised concerns among climate campaigners about the level of commitment to tackling climate change.

António Guterres, the outgoing secretary-general of the United Nations, addressed the summit with strong words. Guterres, who is leaving his role soon, began by thanking Turkey for its organization of the event.

He then turned to a sharp criticism of the fossil fuel industry. Guterres declared that fossil fuels must go the way of the dinosaurs, suggesting they should become extinct just as the ancient creatures did millions of years ago.

Guterres specifically targeted industry lobbying, the practice where companies try to influence government policy in their favour. He suggested that fossil fuel companies have been working to slow down climate action through such lobbying efforts.

This is not the first time Guterres has spoken forcefully about the climate crisis. As his time as secretary-general comes to an end, he appears determined to use his remaining influence to push for stronger action against the industries most responsible for greenhouse gas emissions.

The absence of major world leaders at Cop31 highlights ongoing tensions in international climate diplomacy. Without the direct involvement of leaders from the biggest polluting countries, questions remain about how effective the summit's outcomes will be.

The talks are set to continue over the coming days, with delegates expected to discuss further measures to address global warming and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.