As the United Nations prepares to select a new secretary general, climate experts and civil society groups have raised concerns that the organization’s next leader may deprioritize climate action. The current secretary general, António Guterres, has been notably vocal on environmental issues, frequently criticizing fossil fuel companies and pressing governments to take aggressive action on greenhouse gas emissions. His tenure has been credited with maintaining global focus on climate objectives outlined in the 2015 Paris climate agreement despite significant political headwinds.
Guterres’s successor will be chosen from a field of candidates with varying levels of commitment to climate priorities. Three candidates have drawn particular scrutiny: Rafael Grossi, who leads the International Atomic Energy Agency; Macky Sall, former president of Senegal; and Olara Otunnu, a Ugandan former presidential candidate. Observers have noted potential conflicts of interest, including Grossi’s reported alignment with climate-skeptical political figures, Sall’s openness to gas development as a transitional fuel in Africa, and Otunnu’s potential pressure from Uganda’s fossil fuel interests.
Other candidates bring stronger environmental credentials. Costa Rican economist Rebeca Grynspan has connected climate action to debt relief for developing nations, while María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador has led climate negotiations at major UN summits. Ivonne Baki, also from Ecuador, has promoted conservation programs, though she has raised questions about emissions reduction effectiveness.
Experts warn that the political environment for climate diplomacy has shifted considerably, with increased geopolitical tensions, strain on multilateral systems, and what some describe as “climate hushing” even among traditionally supportive nations. The incoming secretary general will need to counter fossil fuel industry influence while also managing AI regulation to prevent new sources of emissions. Methane reduction, identified as crucial for slowing near-term warming, should remain a focal priority regardless of who assumes the role.
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