London, June 23 2026 – In response to the United Nations Secretary-General address at London Climate Action Week, Dr. Champa Patel, Climate Group's Executive Director of Governments and Policy, has issued the following statement:
"As London swelters in the most intense heatwave in decades, today's call from the Secretary-General reflects what we see every day in our work: we have the solutions, the technology is ready to go, businesses want long term direction, and the governments closest to the solution are already taking action.”
“But too often the different levels of government operate in parallel rather than in partnership. This needs to change if we are to avoid exacerbating the crisis, which is disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable."
“The Secretary-General's address went on to note seven steps we must take to deliver a just and equitable transition, and soon. Of which, cutting methane and carbon emissions and speeding up the electrification of our economies offer the fastest and most financially viable route.”
“Here’s what we know: More than 90% of new renewable power added globally is already cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternatives. Seventy per cent of oil and gas methane emissions can be eliminated using existing technology – much of it at low or no net cost.”
“This offers a path to energy security, economic growth, new jobs and immediate health improvement as cutting emissions means cutting pollution. And this is exactly what we have been building toward at Climate Group.”
“Through initiatives like New Energy and The Big Switch, we have been accelerating the electrification of transport, buildings and public fleets. And through the Subnational Methane Action Coalition, state and regional governments are already cutting methane across agriculture, waste and energy. Subnational governments are the ones with the regulatory authority to make both happen at scale."
"COP31 in Türkiye is where ambition and commitment must translate to action. We will be there to amplify the voices of those who are key to its delivery.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Spokespeople available. For media requests please contact:
Vanessa Power – vpower@climategroup.org or +44 7752403008.
Tom Nice – tnice@climategroup.org or +44 7818 301500.
A link to the UN remarks can be found here: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/LCAW2026
About Climate Group
Climate Group is an international non-profit, launched in 2004, with offices in London, Amsterdam, Beijing, New Delhi, and New York. Our mission is to drive climate action, fast. Our goal is a world of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with greater prosperity for all. We do this by forming powerful networks of business and government, unlocking the power of collective action and scale to move whole systems such as energy, transport, industry, and food to a cleaner future. Together, we’re helping to shift global markets and policies towards faster reductions in carbon emissions.
Special Address by the Secretary-General on the Global Response to the Climate and Energy Crises | United Nations