The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres has called for a climate justice compact to accelerate climate action, support developing countries and speed up the transition to renewable energy.

Mr Guterres made the call on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the COP31 leaders’ summit in Antalya, Türkiye.

He said developing economies outside China receive less than one-fifth of clean-energy investment and pay two to three times more to borrow. 

He warned that limited access to affordable clean energy could prolong reliance on fossil fuels and lock in emissions for decades.

Mr Guterres said global emissions must fall by around 6 per cent annually, adding that current national plans deliver at best one-third of the required reduction. 

He stated that even if fully implemented, they would put the world on course for temperatures above 2.5°C by the end of the century.

The compact would be based on common but differentiated responsibilities. Developed countries must cut emissions and deliver promised finance and technology, while emerging economies accelerate their transition from fossil fuels and developing countries receive adaptation support.

He urged governments to adopt roadmaps away from fossil fuels, end new coal projects and oil and gas infrastructure, cut methane emissions and expand renewable energy. 

He also called for universal early warnings and swift loss-and-damage support.

Mr Guterres called on developed countries to provide at least $300 billion annually in climate finance by 2035 and set out plans to at least triple adaptation finance. 

He said the $1.3 trillion goal must become funding for developing countries and urged multilateral development banks to exceed the Baku commitment of $120 billion annually by 2030.

He called for replenishing the Green Climate Fund and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, saying polluters must contribute more. 

The nine largest oil companies made $95 billion in profits last quarter, while the Loss and Damage Fund received around $600 million; what the companies make in about 14 hours.

He warned that trade barriers, technology monopolies and geopolitical rivalry could slow the transition and raise its cost. 

Mr Guterres urged countries to cooperate on shared challenges and turn negotiations into tangible results.