The ongoing crisis in the Middle East is intensifying calls from the United Nations for a faster global shift to renewable energy, as disruptions to fossil fuel supplies expose the vulnerability of nations reliant on oil and gas from conflict-prone regions.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime route that normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas, has been largely closed since late February due to military operations involving Iran, United States, and Israel. The closure has disrupted energy flows, caused oil and gas prices to surge, and underscored the geopolitical risks inherent in relying heavily on fossil fuels concentrated in volatile regions.

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UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly warned that dependence on fossil fuels not only threatens the climate but also global stability. “Three-fourths of humanity lives in countries that are net importers of fossil fuels, dependent on energy they do not control, at prices they cannot predict,” he said in February. He added that escalating fuel costs siphon resources from development budgets and heighten the impact of geopolitical crises.

The UN argues that renewable energy sources including solar, wind, and hydropower offers a solution by providing more resilient, domestically controlled power sources. Unlike oil and gas, which are vulnerable to conflicts and transport disruptions, renewables can be locally generated, helping countries stabilize electricity supply and reduce exposure to price shocks.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell emphasized earlier this year that renewables are “the clearest, cheapest path to energy security and sovereignty,” shielding economies from the volatility triggered by wars, trade disruptions, and geopolitical tensions.

Some countries are already leading the transition. Kenya generates the vast majority of its electricity from geothermal and other renewable sources, while Chile has rapidly scaled up solar and wind capacity, taking advantage of abundant sunlight in the Atacama Desert to replace coal-fired generation. India is expanding solar and wind infrastructure as part of its national electrification strategy, though it continues to rely heavily on oil and gas transported through the Strait of Hormuz.

The UN notes that renewable energy is often cheaper than fossil fuels, directly lowering household electricity costs and providing protection against price spikes. For countries facing supply disruptions, local renewable generation can reduce reliance on imports and increase energy independence.

The Middle East crisis, which has left key shipping routes and oil-producing infrastructure vulnerable to attack, has highlighted how geopolitical instability can quickly ripple through global markets. UN officials argue that diversifying energy sources is no longer optional but essential for both economic stability and security.

As nations grapple with rising energy costs and supply uncertainty, the UN is urging governments to accelerate investment in renewables, strengthen local power generation, and adopt policies that make energy systems more resilient to conflict-driven shocks. The message is clear: in a world where wars and geopolitical tensions can disrupt the flow of fossil fuels overnight, renewable energy is not just a climate imperative but a strategic necessity.