UN official urges Europe to accelerate clean energy transition

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, has called on the European Parliament to accelerate the transition to clean energy to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Speaking in Brussels, Stiell emphasized that moving away from fossil fuels is in Europe's best interest to build resilience, protect global supply chains, and reduce worldwide emissions.

Stiell highlighted the severe consequences of recent extreme heatwaves in Europe, which saw record temperatures in the United Kingdom and Italy. These events have led to mass evacuations, power plant shutdowns, blocked trade routes, and crop failures, contributing to rising food prices. The heat also resulted in tens of thousands of additional deaths across the continent, including 14,000 in Germany and 5,232 in Spain.

Furthermore, the official noted that climate-related disasters are driving up insurance premiums, with some risks becoming entirely uninsurable.