UN calls coronavirus tragedy an 'opportunity' to fund green industries

The secretary general of the United Nations has declared the coronavirus tragedy is actually an “opportunity” to pour trillions of dollars into climate change fighting industries.

UN boss António Guterres made the extraordinary comments in an opinion piece for the New York Times where he said the world must not return to where it was “before the pandemic”.

“It is an opportunity to build more sustainable and inclusive societies — a more resilient and prosperous world,” he said.

“To resolve both emergencies, we must work together as an international community. Like the coronavirus, greenhouse gases respect no boundaries. Isolation is a trap. No country can succeed alone.”

Mr Guterres – who has been a member of Portugal’s Socialist Party for several decades – argues the world can accelerate green technology off the back of the killer coronavirus.

“As we spend trillions to recover from Covid-19, we must deliver new jobs and businesses through a clean, green transition. Investments must accelerate the decarbonization of all aspects of our economy," he said.

“Governments must honor their commitments to present new national climate plans and longer-term strategies to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

Mr Guterres is not the only international voice to describe the coronavirus as an opportunity for climate change or attempt to use the tragedy to raise green funds.

Sensing that countries have put expensive energy reforms on the backburner until the scale of economic devastation is known, the financial arm of the Paris Agreement made similar statements earlier this month.

The Green Climate Fund said COVID-19 was an “opportunity” to raise funds for climate change action and “relaunch economies on low-emission, climate-resilient trajectories”.

“While COVID-19 is causing untold suffering, the international response to this unprecedented health crisis in modern times offers an opportunity to direct finances towards bolstering climate action. GCF will continue to make critical investments in climate-resilient water resource management, health care facilities, agriculture and livelihoods – all of which are essential to subduing and overcoming the pandemic,” the organisation wrote in an official public update.

“Similarly, we will step up our efforts to catalyse green investment to relaunch economies on low-emission, climate-resilient trajectories.

“The Green Climate Fund is confident that only a united approach – bringing together determined efforts and innovation – will provide lasting solutions to both the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.”

[purebloodbabyfuhrer]

No thanks. Trying to rebuild our economies by using unreliable and extremely expensive technology would be stupid.

[dab]

But renewables are worse for the environment....

[HMB-ussb]

Even Michael Moore has worked out the renewable industry is a sham. Which is why the Corrupt UN promote it. Time to permanently get rid of the United Nations of Tyranny.

[ryanphillips]

It's sad as American I have to watch Australian news for more honest reporting on this type of thing. Thank you Sky News Australia.

[Jason_g_kennedy]

Such a good idea, the World is in a recession, lets spend hundreds of billions on green energy first.

[matthewflinders]

They should watch Michael Moore’s new film!🤣😂🤣

[starker]

What a way to make the economy even worse.

[corkyvanderhaven]

Antonio Guteres doesn't look like he should return to his pre-pandemic ways either.

[williamzabiski]

Have WOrld Trade Organization reclassify China as first world then the standards required will be the same as that of first world countries in terms of pollution volume. Then maybe later India. The rest of the third world countries combined is negligible in the volume of pollution emitted.

[hankbrukowski]

Any one seen Al Gore lately., Man he need to reduce his carbon footprint. Doubt that crane could lift him again for that hockey stick graph? Btw was that crane lift solar powered?

[lrrikin]

This guy is on some new kind of hallucinogens.. I wish him luck in these pointless endeavours.



From now on, when you hear the phrase 'climate change' I'd like you to substitute the phrase 'marxist overthrow' and see if the whole thing makes a little more sense.

[sadwingsraging]

"Never let a crises go to waste" Leftist around the world motto.

[billybobjohnroane]

Sounds like a plan! How will we feed so many people??

[addajjalsonofallah]

Idk how the two aren't really related

[dominicpelle]

Conservatives have been stalling action for DECADES... slowly slowly ..very slowly coming to the realisation and inevitability of a renewable energy low carbon world. Instead of seeing it as a GREAT OPPORTUNITY for investment for the >>> inevitable <<<< NEW ECONOMY.

[Bruski.]

Maybe the Secretary - General should watch Michael Moore's Documentary "the planet of the humans" before opening his mouth to make stupid statements, but then that would require an I.Q. bigger than his shoe size, which he obviously doesn't have, Mr Moore has debunked the so called Green Energy Sector thoroughly with his documentary, and I still can not believe I'm endorsing something that Michael Moore has made.