UN chief says impact of Russia-Ukraine war a 'wake-up call' for shift to renewable energy

As Russia-Ukraine war has reached its 85th day, Secretary-General of United Nations António Guterres said that conflict in war-torn Ukraine and its 'immediate effects' on energy price hikes is yet anor 'wake-up call' to speed up transition to renewable energy. He furr claimed that renewable energy is only way to ensure a long-term future. According to a report from UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs, amid war, surging energy, food, as well as commodity costs, skyrocketing inflation, and major central banks' tightening monetary policy stances have all harmed global economic prospects.  

report which is named, ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects as of mid-2022' also revealed, “ world economy is projected to grow by 3.1% in 2022, marking a downward revision of 0.9 percentage points from our previous forecast released in January 2022.” Furr, baseline prediction is subject to severe downside risks due to ongoing conflict in Ukraine and possibility of fresh pandemic waves. 

According to report, conflict in Ukraine, as well as its impact on energy and commodity prices, may jeopardise climate action. High oil and gas prices, on one hand, may encourage ditional fossil fuel extraction or coal usage. development of electric cars might be hampered by high nickel prices, while biofuel production could be hampered by rising food prices.  

EU economy has been affected hardest by Russian energy supply interruptions

In dition to this, report claimed that se high prices would provide nations an opportunity to dress ir energy and food security issues by speeding up option of renewables and enhancing systemic efficiencies, thus trying to align with overall sustainable development goals and bolstering fight against climate change. 

report even highlighted  predictions for growth in United States, European Union, and China have all been revised downward, with EU seeing most dramatic reduction. European Union economy, which has been affected hardest by Russian Federation energy supply interruptions, is now predicted to grow by 2.7% in 2022, down from 3.9% in January. 

Furrmore, UN chief Guterres stressed, “ war in Ukraine, on top of all or global crises, threatens tens of millions of people with food insecurity, malnutrition, mass hunger and famine.” He ded that re is enough food in world for everyone, but y must act quickly and collectively. 

Apart from this, with global hunger levels at an all-time high, UN chief said on Wednesday that he is in "intense contact" with Russia as well as or key nations in hopes of reaching an agreement that would allow grain stored in Ukrainian ports to be exported and ensure that Russian food and fertiliser have unhindered access to global markets. 

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