A major United Nations Global Environment Outlook (GEO) report warns that food systems and fossil fuel production are collectively inflicting around $5bn in environmental damage every hour, urging governments to accelerate a global transformation to avert what it describes as an inevitable collapse if current trends continue. The assessment highlights the scale of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate disruption driven by present economic models.
Agriculture identified as a leading driver of harm
The report finds that global food production, from intensive livestock farming to large-scale monoculture crops, is responsible for a disproportionate share of ecosystem degradation. Soil erosion, water scarcity and fertiliser pollution have reached levels the UN describes as “ecologically unsustainable,” with land-use change continuing to drive rapid biodiversity decline. Analysts stress that the environmental footprint is increasing even as many countries struggle with food insecurity.
Fossil fuel sector remains a dominant source of damage
Alongside agriculture, the fossil fuel industry contributes extensively to climate warming, air pollution and ocean acidification. The report highlights mounting external costs that are not reflected in energy prices, pointing to the continued expansion of oil and gas infrastructure despite global commitments to emissions reduction. UN officials warn that without a decisive pivot toward renewable energy and reduced consumption, environmental costs will accelerate further through the next decade.
Economic losses risk becoming irreversible
According to the GEO assessment, the cumulative global damage from current production systems has reached a level that threatens long-term economic stability. The report argues that climate impacts, degraded ecosystems and reduced natural resilience could lead to systemic collapse in food supply chains, water access and weather-dependent industries. It calls for governments to adopt new accounting frameworks that incorporate environmental harm into economic planning.
Transformative policy action required
The UN recommends sweeping reforms, including shifting agricultural subsidies toward regenerative practices, imposing stricter limits on pollution, and rapidly scaling green-energy infrastructure. It also urges an integrated approach to land, water and energy management to reduce cross-sector pressures. The report emphasises that incremental reforms will be insufficient, advocating for policies that fundamentally restructure economies around sustainability principles.
Global response remains uneven
While several countries have announced decarbonisation strategies and soil-restoration initiatives, the report notes that global progress continues to lag far behind what is required. Many developing nations face financial and technological barriers, and international climate finance remains below promised levels. Environmental groups say the findings underscore the urgency of increased global cooperation, particularly in supporting regions most vulnerable to climate and ecological disruption.
A narrowing window for change
UN officials conclude that the world must act within the next decade to prevent irreversible impacts. The report states that preventing collapse is still achievable but requires coordinated action at a scale comparable to major historical economic transformations. Without such steps, the environmental debt created by current production systems will continue to grow, undermining development, health and stability across all regions.
Newshub Editorial in Global – 10 December 2025
Recent Comments