UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded climate justice at the Antalya climate summit, urging developed nations to pay for historical emissions, provide $300 billion annually by 2035, triple adaptation finance and support developing countries through equitable climate funding and international cooperation.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for climate justice for developing nations, urging industrialised countries to take greater responsibility for global warming and provide substantial financial support to countries facing the consequences of climate change. Addressing the UN Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey, he stressed that countries with the highest historical greenhouse gas emissions must shoulder a proportionate share of the financial burden associated with climate damage.
“Polluters must pay,” Guterres declared, calling for a new international framework to ensure fairness, accountability and collective responsibility in tackling the climate crisis. He proposed a new Climate Justice Compact based on shared responsibility, shared security and shared benefits, emphasising that climate action must reflect the different capacities and historical contributions of individual countries.
“We need a new Climate Justice Compact, based on shared responsibility, shared security and shared benefits. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must apply, and all countries must do their part,” the UN Secretary-General said.
Guterres highlighted that industrialised nations have historically contributed significantly to greenhouse gas emissions while benefiting economically from fossil fuel-based development. He argued that countries and industries responsible for a larger share of global pollution should contribute more towards addressing the consequences of climate change.
Criticising the fossil fuel industry, the UN chief pointed out that the nine largest oil companies generated approximately $95 billion in profits during the previous quarter alone. He questioned the fairness of allowing developing nations, which often contribute comparatively less to global emissions, to bear a disproportionate share of the economic and environmental consequences.
According to Guterres, climate justice requires a financial commitment from wealthy nations to help vulnerable countries strengthen their resilience, protect communities and transition towards cleaner energy systems. He said developed countries must demonstrate leadership through predictable funding arrangements and clearly defined financial targets.
The UN Secretary-General specifically called on developed nations to deliver at least $300 billion annually by 2035 and establish concrete plans with measurable milestones to at least triple adaptation finance by the same year.
“Developed countries must lead in delivering at least $300 billion a year by 2035, and set out concrete plans with clear milestones to at least triple adaptation finance by then,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of turning the broader $1.3 trillion climate finance target into actual financial assistance reaching developing countries. Guterres maintained that commitments announced at international conferences must translate into practical funding that supports climate adaptation, mitigation and sustainable development.
“The $1.3 trillion goal must become real finance flowing to developing countries, and this demands that every source of finance pull its weight,” he added.
The UN chief further emphasised that public funding alone would not be sufficient to address the growing scale of the climate crisis. He called for greater participation from private investors, governments and multilateral development institutions to mobilise the resources necessary for the global green transition.
He said private investments should complement public financing and international development support, particularly in developing economies where access to affordable capital and modern technology remains a major challenge.
Guterres also called for stronger South-South cooperation, encouraging developing countries to expand partnerships, share technological expertise and improve access to financial resources. Such cooperation, he suggested, could help countries overcome common climate challenges and accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies.
Warning against growing international divisions, the Secretary-General said trade barriers, technology monopolies and geopolitical rivalries were creating obstacles to effective climate action. He stressed that climate change was a global challenge requiring cooperation rather than competition among nations.
His remarks also reinforced India’s call for greater international accountability and equitable climate financing, which was raised at the Antalya summit on Tuesday.
Representing India at the conference, Narendra Bhooshan, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, called for a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome from the negotiations at the Conference of the Parties (COP).
Bhooshan emphasised that adequate public financing from developed nations was essential to help developing countries address climate vulnerabilities, strengthen adaptation measures and protect communities from the growing impacts of global warming.
India’s position highlighted the importance of financial support from industrialised economies, particularly for countries that face increasing climate-related risks despite having comparatively limited historical contributions to global emissions.
The demand for stronger financial commitments has remained a central issue in international climate negotiations, with developing nations consistently arguing that climate responsibilities must reflect differences in historical emissions, economic capabilities and development requirements.
The Antalya conference has brought together representatives from 197 countries to discuss international climate commitments, financial assistance, adaptation strategies and measures to limit global warming.
However, the absence of the United States has drawn attention. The country, historically the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter, is boycotting the event following decisions by President Donald Trump, who has dismissed climate change initiatives.
The US absence comes at a time when international cooperation is considered crucial to achieving meaningful progress on climate action and mobilising financial resources for vulnerable economies.
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Guterres’ address placed climate finance, historical responsibility and international accountability at the centre of the discussions. His proposed Climate Justice Compact seeks to ensure that countries and industries responsible for greater pollution contribute proportionately to addressing the crisis.
As negotiations continue in Antalya, developing nations are expected to maintain pressure on industrialised countries to turn financial promises into tangible support. The outcome of the discussions could prove significant for future climate financing arrangements, particularly for countries seeking resources to strengthen adaptation measures and pursue sustainable economic development.
