The United Nations on Tuesday released its largest-ever scientific assessment of the global environment, but a politically negotiated summary of the findings was blocked amid disputes over fossil fuels.
The report, titled “A Future We Choose”, spans over 1,200 pages and highlights the urgent need for a transformation of the world’s energy systems to tackle climate change.
However, divisions among member states prevented agreement on the summary for policymakers, a condensed version of the report designed to guide government action.
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen called the situation “regrettable,” noting that the scientific integrity of the report remains intact despite the political stalemate.
According to UNEP, major oil producers, including Saudi Arabia and the United States, resisted references to phasing out fossil fuels, citing concerns over their use in plastics and other industries.
Other disputes arose over language addressing gender, conflict, and environmentally harmful subsidies.
A joint statement from the European Union, United Kingdom, and several other nations criticised “diversion attempts” during the negotiations, though no specific countries were named.
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A French diplomat described the discussions at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi as “difficult.”
Report co-chair Robert Watson emphasised the urgency of reducing fossil fuel use, warning that the world is “not moving fast enough by any stretch of the imagination to become sustainable.” He highlighted that investing in a cleaner planet could deliver trillions of dollars in annual economic growth.
The political deadlock reflects broader challenges for global climate action, including stalled negotiations at COP30 in Dubai last month and the collapse of a proposed global plastic treaty in August due to opposition from oil-producing nations.
Andersen noted that while countries had the right to dissent, the lack of consensus on the summary could set a concerning precedent for future UN environmental processes.