Guterres Accuses Big Oil Companies Treating Atmosphere Like ‘Open Sewer’

Outgoing United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has accused major global oil companies of treating the atmosphere like an “open sewer” while profiting from the consequences of climate change.

Guterres made the remarks on Tuesday during the UN’s high-level meeting, where he launched a strong criticism of the fossil fuel industry and called for greater responsibility from companies that have contributed significantly to global warming.

“We know that fossil fuel interests won’t step aside on their own. For decades, Big Oil has treated the atmosphere as an open sewer — and cashed in on the consequences,” Guterres said.

He noted that since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, five major Western oil companies had made nearly half a trillion dollars in profits.

Guterres contrasted the figure with the $34 billion in financing mobilised to support developing countries in adapting to the effects of a warming planet.

“Meanwhile, everyday people are paying more for energy, food and insurance,” he said, likening what he described as the fossil fuel industry’s “abuse of power” to the conduct of Big Tobacco.

According to the UN chief, companies and countries that have contributed most to pollution and benefited financially from fossil fuels should shoulder a greater share of the cost of addressing climate-related damage.

“Those who polluted the most — and profited the most — must do far more to repair the damage they caused,” he said.

Guterres’ remarks came amid a series of climate-related events and record temperatures recorded across the Northern Hemisphere during the summer.

Nepal has also experienced devastating flooding linked to glacial collapse, underscoring concerns over the growing impact of climate change.

The UN has warned that the world is likely to temporarily exceed the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Despite the warnings, Guterres said there were still grounds for optimism, pointing to the rapid expansion of solar and wind power around the world.

“The dangers are real, but so is the hope,” he said, noting that renewable energy had become the cheapest source of energy in most parts of the world.

Climate change has been a central issue throughout Guterres’ tenure as UN secretary-general.

He is expected to make another major intervention on the issue on Wednesday when he hosts a climate summit ahead of the COP31 climate talks scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, in November.

Attention will focus on whether countries, particularly the summit’s co-hosts, Turkey and Australia, will announce stronger climate commitments.

Both countries remain significantly dependent on fossil fuels, and observers will be looking for indications of increased ambition ahead of the COP31 negotiations.

AFP