The UN Secretary General has sharply criticized the 'grotesque greed' of oil and gas companies for taking record profits from the energy crisis at the expense of the world's poorest people.

General Secretary António Guterres called it "immoral" that the largest energy companies in the first quarter of the year made a combined profit of about $100 billion

"It is immoral for oil and gas companies to be making record profits from this energy crisis on the backs of the poorest people and communities, at a massive cost to the climate," Guterres told reporters.

Guterres urged people around the world to send a message to the fossil fuel industry and their financiers that this grotesque greed is punishing the poorest and most vulnerable people by destroying Earth.

"I urge all governments to tax these excessive profits, and use the funds to support the most vulnerable people through these difficult times," Guterres said.