A black suit jacket, expertly combed gray-white hair and two heavy dark circles under his eyes. At 74, his age flirting with that of the institution he heads, Antonio Guterres is used to cozy lounges and polite negotiations. The most powerful secretary in the world has presided over the destiny of the United Nations since 2017, dragging his stature as an international diplomat wherever the planet requires him. But, with the former Portuguese Prime Minister, relying on appearances would be a mistake. Behind his good nature hides a certain ferocity on a subject: the climate
Polyglot, Antonio Guterres has taken the radical step of not speaking Chinese when discussing ecology. The septuagenarian puts on the punchlines, each more striking than the last. “We are on the highway to climate hell, with our foot still on the accelerator,” he said almost a year ago to the day. Humanity’s addiction to fossil fuels “has opened the gates of hell,” Guterres declaimed in September. In the run-up to COP28 (November 30-December 12), the UN boss also demanded “spectacular efforts now”.
“He breaks the codes of institutional discourse”
In expert memory, Albin Wagener does not recall such an accumulation of witticisms, especially from a UN leader. “He is in the register of the punchline which clashes when we expect him to produce more structured speeches,” continues the discourse analyst, research director at Icam and author of the book Blabla: put an end to climate chatter. It breaks the codes of institutional discourse. »
To warn about global warming and other concerns that threaten the planet, Antonio Guterres does not hesitate to relay the aspirations of activists. And it seems to appeal. “The UN hosts the COPs, it is its role to put pressure on leaders around the world. We need speeches like this, accompanied by mobilization,” enthuses Sarah Roussel. Beyond the shock phrases, the climate campaigner at Greenpeace France sees in this “public questioning” a projection “to say that solutions exist, that it is still possible to maintain the planet”.
For Albin Wagener, the Portuguese has mixed all the ingredients of a good communication strategy, especially in the age of social networks. “To address generations from all countries, we need short and impactful visuals,” describes the expert. He and his advisors manage to speak a digital language, which, in addition to young people, can also speak to the political entourages of leaders, and to communicators.”
Effective communication… And sincere?
Strategically, Guterres’ logic seems to hold water. But, ideologically, is the leader aligned with the program he is proposing? To judge the sincerity of his commitment, it is useful to look back into the leader’s past.
Before launching his UN career, Antonio Guterres marked the political history of Portugal for two reasons, tells us Yves Léonard, teacher at Sciences Po and specialist in Portugal: he was the first socialist figure in a position to govern and he embodied a another face of social democracy. “He had an ability to bring people together, to be consensual. At the time, he was known for being rounded, with a certain sense of anticipation and negotiation. Today, he has adapted to the times. »
“He wants to convince internally” of the climate emergency
Prime Minister from 1995 to 2002, this childhood friend of the current President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa had environmental sensitivity thanks to his “humanist” side, assures our specialist. But this choice was not clearly reflected in his policy. “Portugal wanted to develop its infrastructure, modernize the networks, there was a strong period of concreteization”. Despite this less than virtuous course, he appointed Elisa Ferreira (now European Commissioner), specialist in regional planning, to the Ministry of the Environment. “She had real competence on her subjects. For Guterres, it was not a trivial commitment,” assures Yves Léonard.
Shaking up leaders and public opinion, Antonio Guterres has made it his credo. With his microphone as his main weapon, he could have another target with a closer range. “We must not forget that the IPCC is hosted by the UN. The functioning of the United Nations is much more conservative than Guterres’ speeches and the latter also target his own institution, argues Albin Wagener. He wants to convince internally and raise awareness of the urgency. »
A freedom of tone boosted by obtaining a second mandate which ensures him to be secretary of the UN until 2026. Antonio Guterres will then be 77 years old. But there is no age to end a career as a punchliner.