UN Secretary-General António Guterres appealed on Thursday for a COP30 deal that delivers a balanced outcome on mitigation, adaptation and finance, and keeps the 1.5-degrees-Celsius goal within reach.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Guterres warned that the 1.5-degree limit remains "the only non-negotiable red line," and said ministers and negotiators "must show leadership, boldness and good faith."

He stressed that adaptation finance needs to be tripled, with developed countries mobilizing $300 billion annually by 2035 on the pathway to a broader $1.3 trillion climate-finance goal, adding that multilateral banks and the global financial system must also be reformed to rise to the challenge.

On fossil fuels, Guterres called for a "just, orderly and equitable transition," and warned that "there can be no solution if there is not, at the same time, a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy." He condemned "market distortions that favor fossil fuels" and disinformation meant to sabotage the transition.

The remarks came amid heightened pressure at COP30 as negotiators pushed to finalize a global deal. With reports indicating 2025 is on track to be one of the warmest years on record, the race is on to bind major emitters into stronger commitments ahead of the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degree Celsius. While a fire briefly disrupted proceedings at the summit venue, Guterres and delegates quickly returned to negotiating tables.