Matt McGrath is an environment correspondent.

Image source, Getty Images

The UN Secretary General says the rush to use fossil fuels ismadness and threatens global climate targets.

The prices of coal, oil and gas have gone up as countries scramble to replace Russian sources.

Antonio Guterres warns that these short-term measures might close the window on the Paris climate goals.

He wants China to phase out coal by the year 2040.

In his first major speech on climate and energy since COP26, the UN Secretary General made no bones about the fact that the limited progress achieved in Glasgow is not enough to ward off dangerous climate change.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Mr Guterres says that the rush to find alternatives to Russian fuels is a threat to climate goals

Scientists believe that keeping the rise in global temperatures under 1.5C this century is crucial to limiting the scale of damage from global warming.

To keep the threshold alive, carbon output needs to be halved by the end of the decade. The emissions are going to rise by 14.

The problem was not solved in Glasgow according to a speech delivered by Mr. Guterres.

The problem is getting worse.

The war in Ukraine could make the situation worse.

Europe and the UK are looking to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas this year. Coal or imports of natural gas are being used as alternative sources.

This short-term approach is bad for the climate, warns Mr. Guterres.

The countries could become so consumed by the immediate fossil fuel supply gap that they neglect or cap policies to cut fossil fuel use.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Mining for coal may get a boost in the short term as countries seek alternative energy sources

This is insane. Fossil fuels can be addictive and destruction can be assured.

The phase out of coal and all fossil fuels is necessary for a sustainable energy transition.

It is the only true pathway to energy security.

The solutions to the climate crisis are in the hands of the G20 group of richest nations, which produce 80% of global emissions, according to Mr. Guterres.

Many of these countries have taken great steps to slash emissions, but there are a few holdouts, such as Australia.

Coal must be phased out for richer nations by the year 2030. and for all other nations by the year 2040.

According to the Secretary General, coal is a stupid investment that leads to billions of stranded assets.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Europe relies heavily on Russia for natural gas supplies and is seeking replacements

The way forward is to build coalitions to help emerging economies move away from fossil fuels.

He talks about the case of South Africa. Several countries including the UK, US and others agreed to an $8.5 billion financing programme to end South Africa's reliance on coal.

The pieces are coming together for similar coalitions in Indonesia, Vietnam and elsewhere.

Money is one of the main problems in addressing the climate issue and Mr. Guterres has called for a major ramping up of finance to help countries adapt to rising temperatures.

In Africa, six in ten people are not protected by early warning systems for disasters.

He argues that in the year 2022, rich countries need to fulfill their promise to provide a $100 billion a year to the developing world.

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