The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday the military operation in Ukraine is exacerbating a global climate crisis.

Guterres made the remarks in a recorded video message to the Inter-Parliamentary Union 144th Assembly.

"The war is also aggravating existing economic and social vulnerabilities – well beyond the region," the UN chief said.

"Meanwhile, the war also shows how the global addiction to fossil fuels is placing energy security, climate action and the entire global economy at the mercy of geopolitics.

"This further exacerbates the climate crisis, which is already wreaking havoc around the world."

Guterres pointed out that it is necessary for the world to reduce emissions by 45 percent this decade and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

He also urged that climate finance commitments to developing countries – who bear the brunt of the crisis – should be met.

He noted that parliaments and legislators are essential to achieving these goals.

Russia began its military operation in Ukraine on February 24.

According to the UN, some ten million people have fled their homes in the Eastern European country, either internally displaced or as refugees abroad.