By Ndudirim Sylvia Iloka
Former United States Vice President Al Gore has warned that the world is running out of time to confront the climate crisis, urging lawmakers across the globe to break political deadlocks and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Speaking during the 35th anniversary celebration of GLOBE Legislators at the House of Commons, UK Parliament, London, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Al Gore said worsening climate disasters, geopolitical tensions and fossil fuel dependence have made decisive political leadership more urgent than ever.
“The solutions already exist. What is needed now is the political will to implement them.” Al Gore said.
Gore, a founding figure and former Chairman of GLOBE Legislators, recalled that the organisation was established in 1991 on the belief that international climate agreements would only succeed when translated into national laws and policies. He credited legislators around the world for turning climate commitments into action through legislation, oversight and public engagement.
He pointed to the rapid growth of renewable energy and electric vehicle adoption as proof that the clean energy transition is gaining momentum despite political resistance. According to him, governments must free climate policy from the influence of fossil fuel interests and prioritise affordable clean energy solutions that strengthen economies, improve public health and enhance energy security.
“Climate action is not only a moral issue; it is a pocketbook issue for all of us.” Al Gore added.
The anniversary celebration also marked a major leadership transition for GLOBE Legislators, with Nigerian climate advocate and architect of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, formally inaugurated as the organisation’s new President.
In his acceptance speech, Onuigbo pledged to deepen the role of parliaments in driving climate action, sustainable development and green investments across the world.
“Climate action cannot succeed without strong parliamentary leadership,” Sam Onuigbo said.
The new GLOBE President outlined an agenda focused on climate education, legislative capacity building, green investment promotion and stronger collaboration among governments, development institutions, civil society organisations and the private sector.
“Laws, policies, oversight and public accountability remain the foundation upon which meaningful climate progress is built,” Sam Onuigbo added.
Reflecting on GLOBE’s history, Onuigbo said the organisation has evolved into one of the world’s most influential parliamentary climate networks, helping lawmakers shape legislation, influence policy and strengthen international cooperation on climate, biodiversity and sustainable development.
He also highlighted the role a GLOBE summit at the 2015 United Nations Climate Conference in Paris played in inspiring the legislative process that eventually produced Nigeria’s landmark Climate Change Act.
Looking ahead, he said his administration would prioritise climate literacy for young people, expand parliament-to-parliament cooperation and equip legislators with the tools needed to advance climate laws and unlock sustainable development financing.
“Without parliaments, we cannot achieve anything. Parliaments make COPs count,” Sam Onuigbo reiterated.
The event featured a goodwill message from Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, a former GLOBE member, who warned that climate-related disasters are becoming more severe and frequent across the world.
“The impacts of climate change are growing ever more severe, and the threat of storm and flood-related disasters is also increasing,” Yuriko Koike said.
Koike highlighted Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen urban resilience and stressed the importance of international cooperation among cities confronting climate risks.
“I sincerely hope that this event will serve as a valuable opportunity for building new alliances for climate action,” Yuriko Koike continued.
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The gathering brought together parliamentarians, climate advocates, policymakers and development partners from across the world to celebrate 35 years of climate leadership, the inauguration of Rt Hon Sam Onuigbo as the President, and chart a new course for global parliamentary engagement on environmental issues.
As GLOBE enters a new chapter under African leadership for the first time in its history, delegates said the organisation faces a defining challenge: turning climate commitments into measurable action amid geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and escalating environmental threats.
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