Guterres calls for urgent climate action as rising seas threaten coastal communities

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent emissions cuts and greater support for coastal communities at a high-level meeting on sea-level rise in New York on 24 September 2026. In remarks published by the UN’s press service, he warned that land loss and saltwater contamination of freshwater could contribute to mass displacement. [1]

Guterres said global sea level rose almost six millimetres in 2024, describing it as the largest annual increase recorded and saying the pace was accelerating. The release does not provide the underlying measurements. [1]

Citing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, he said sea levels could rise by as much as half a metre by the end of the century even under what he called the best-case scenario. Without drastic emissions cuts, he said, the rise could reach one metre. The release does not identify the IPCC assessment, reference period or detailed scenarios behind those conditional projections. [1]

He said around 770 million people live less than five metres above the high-tide line. That figure describes where people live, not the number expected to be displaced or the projected height of sea-level rise. He characterised the threat as climate injustice, arguing that those least responsible face the greatest costs. [1]

Emissions cuts and climate finance

Guterres called for global emissions to peak immediately and fall by 60% by 2035, although the release does not specify a comparison year. He also urged a rapid, fair transition away from fossil fuels, alongside greater renewable energy use and energy efficiency. [1]

On finance, he said the $300 billion annual goal for developing countries should be a step towards mobilising $1.3 trillion a year by 2035. These are financing goals, not sums shown to have been delivered. He also called for adaptation finance to triple. [1]

Guterres expressed frustration with the resources available to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, describing the amount as “ridiculous”. The release gives no current funding total against which to assess that criticism. [1]