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

The third day of the UN's Cop31 climate summit began in Antalya, Turkey, on Wednesday, with notable absences among leaders of several major polluting nations casting doubt on the scale of international commitment to tackling climate change.

Following opening remarks that touched on Antalya's long history as a city founded around 200BC, attention turned to António Guterres, the outgoing UN secretary-general, who delivered a pointed address to delegates.

Guterres opened by commending Turkey for what he described as the "excellent organisation" of the summit, before pivoting to a forceful condemnation of the fossil fuel industry and its influence on global climate policy.

In one of the address's most striking lines, Guterres declared that fossil fuels "must go the way of the dinosaurs", a remark that drew attention for its blunt framing of the industry's long-term prospects amid the ongoing climate emergency.

The secretary-general directed particular criticism at industry lobbying, accusing fossil fuel interests of working to obstruct or delay meaningful climate action through their influence over policymakers. Lobbying by the fossil fuel sector has long been a point of contention at UN climate talks, with campaigners frequently raising concerns about industry representatives' access to negotiations.

Guterres's remarks come as he prepares to step down from his role as secretary-general, a transition that has prompted speculation about what his remaining time in office might be used to advance. His comments at Cop31 suggest a continued willingness to confront powerful industries directly on the subject of emissions reduction.

The absence of leaders from many of the world's largest polluting nations has emerged as a defining feature of this year's talks, raising questions among observers about whether the summit can produce the kind of high-level political commitment needed to accelerate global decarbonisation efforts.

Without direct engagement from heads of state representing the biggest emitters, much of the negotiating burden at Cop31 is likely to fall on ministers and officials, potentially limiting the scope of any agreements reached.

The talks are scheduled to continue over the coming days, with further sessions expected to address funding mechanisms, emissions targets, and the broader transition away from fossil fuels as the primary source of global energy.