Thunberg and Guterres blast fossil fuel lobby at COP31 in Turkey
Greta Thunberg criticized the COP31 climate summit in Turkey as hypocritical and full of lobbyists, urging leaders to prioritize people over profit. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned fossil fuel companies for "killing our planet." Thunberg, attending her first COP since 2021, said negotiations are filled with lobbyists from destructive industries. Guterres called for taxing oil company windfall profits, stating "fossil fuels must go the way of the dinosaurs" and that their lobby prevents action. The talks run until November 20. Few major breakthroughs are expected due to geopolitical tensions and oil price shocks. Turkey aims for 35% global electrification by 2035. Thunberg, who rose to prominence in 2018, warned "everything and everyone we love is at stake," while youth activists rallied around her presence.