"The impact of the coronavirus is both immediate and dreadful. But there is another deep emergency -- the planet’s unfolding environmental crisis. Biodiversity is in steep decline," he said in a message marking the International Mother Earth Day that falls on April 22.

The UN chief said they must work together to save lives, ease suffering and lessen the shattering economic and social consequences.

"Climate disruption is approaching a point of no return," he said.

The UN chief said they must act decisively to protect the planet from both the coronavirus and the existential threat of climate disruption.

"The current crisis is an unprecedented wake-up call," he said adding that they need to turn the recovery into a real opportunity to do things right for the future.

The UN chief proposed six climate-related actions to shape the recovery and the work ahead.

"First: as we spend huge amounts of money to recover from the coronavirus, we must deliver new jobs and businesses through a clean, green transition," he said.

Secondly, the UN chief said where taxpayers’ money is used to rescue businesses, it needs to  be tied to achieving green jobs and sustainable growth.

Third, he mentioned, fiscal firepower must drive a shift from the grey to green economy, and make societies and people more resilient

Fourth, he said, public funds should be used to invest in the future, not the past, and flow to sustainable sectors and projects that help the environment and the climate. 

The UN chief said fossil fuel subsidies must end, and polluters must start paying for their pollution

Fifth, he said, climate risks and opportunities must be incorporated into the financial system as well as all aspects of public policy making and infrastructure.

"Sixth: we need to work together as an international community," said the UN chief adding that these six principles constitute an important guide to recovering better together.

Greenhouse gases, just like viruses, do not respect national boundaries, he said.