Mr Stiell noted that fossil fuel dependency is completely delusional, as history tells us that fossil fuel crises will happen over and over again. This leaves economies, household budgets, and business bottom lines at the mercy of geopolitical shocks and price volatility in a chaotic world.
IFRC/Vladimir Filonov
The United Nations (UN) top climate change officials have warned that the disruption of global energy supplies is being felt worldwide, as conflict in the Middle East continues to drive oil and gas prices sharply higher - echoing the market turmoil triggered by the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at the 2026 Green Growth Summit in Brussels, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), said that volatility underscored the strategic value of renewable energy.
Sunlight doesn’t depend on narrow and vulnerable shipping straits, wind blows without massive taxpayer-funded naval escorts, and renewable energy allows countries to insulate themselves from global turmoil and to side-step might-is-right politics.
Furthermore, he added that fossil fuel dependency is ripping away national security and sovereignty and replacing them with subservience and rising costs. In addition to providing nationwide security, he also noted that cutting out fossil fuel pollution cleans our air, improving health and quality of life.
With this, Mr Stiell noted that instead of arguing for the doubling down on the cause of the problem, this is the time to slowly shift to renewable energy - which is safer, cheaper, and faster to market.
Mr Stiell noted that fossil fuel dependency is completely delusional, as history tells us that fossil fuel crises will happen over and over again. This leaves economies, household budgets, and business bottom lines at the mercy of geopolitical shocks and price volatility in a chaotic world.
His message to ministers meeting in Brussels was simple: Meek dependence on fossil fuel imports will leave Europe forever lurching from crisis to crisis, with households and industries literally paying the price.
