popular articles

Fighting global warming: G20 avoids crucial issues

The G20 summit, bringing together 19 countries and the European Union, is being held in New Delhi at a time when climate issues are more crucial than ever. The head of UN Climate has described the statements made by G20 members as "woefully inadequate" in the face of the climate emergency.

Please share:

The declarations made by G20 members on the fight against global warming are “sadly inadequate” to the urgency of the situation, deplored the head of UN Climate on Wednesday in an interview with AFP, ahead of their summit this weekend in India.

The fight against global warming: The challenges facing the G20 in New Delhi

The G20, which accounts for some 85% of the world economy and greenhouse gas emissions, meets in New Delhi on Saturday and Sunday in the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, against a backdrop of high tensions over the war in Ukraine, the phase-out of fossil fuels and trade issues.

For Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), technological solutions to curb global warming are within reach. But geopolitics is a “constraining factor”, he declared in an interview with AFP, on the sidelines of the African Climate Summit.

The meeting in the Kenyan capital Nairobi saw African leaders call for a substantial increase in investment in renewable energies on the continent, reform of the international financial system and greater support for developing countries, which are the hardest hit by climate change despite being the least responsible for it.

G20 under pressure as greenhouse gas emissions approach peak

The G20 summit, which brings together 19 countries and the European Union, is part of a four-month cycle of major negotiations on global warming, culminating in a UN conference (COP28) in Dubai at the end of November. For Simon Stiell, the declarations made by the G20 countries ahead of their meeting fall far short of what is needed.

“The communiqués that have been issued are woefully inadequate, failing to address the crucial issues that need to be resolved by these 20 countries”, he lamented: “There are still attempts to evade and obstruct around these key issues”. – Send a signal” –

A meeting of G20 energy ministers in July failed to agree a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, or to support the scientific consensus that greenhouse gas emissions will peak by 2025.

The G20 summit takes place at a time when countries will be receiving the first official tally of their progress towards the targets agreed in Paris in 2015. Under the Paris Agreement, nearly 200 countries have pledged to limit global warming to “well below” 2°C since pre-industrial times, and preferably 1.5°C.

The hope of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, provided we make a full commitment

These assessments are likely to repeat the disastrous conclusions of a series of UN climate reports, highlighting the inadequacy of the global response.

“There’s work to be done at every level,” says Simon Stiell, adding that “the burden of response falls on 20 countries”. He urged G20 leaders to “send a very strong signal about their commitment to tackling climate change”.

On Monday, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) called on the United States and China to put aside “their tensions” to tackle climate issues, in an interview with AFP.

The following day, US climate envoy John Kerry expressed his hope that Washington and Beijing could “come closer together”, while stressing that this cooperation would not be achieved “at any price”.

For Simon Stiell, the technologies needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% over the current decade – as recommended by UN experts – are within reach if the richest countries step up their efforts.

100 billion a year: A key challenge for the climate

This means meeting their 2009 commitment to provide $100 billion a year in climate financing by 2020, and helping the most vulnerable countries cope with the immediate impacts of climate change.

While the growing calls for reform of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to address climate challenges are taking place outside the framework of the UN climate negotiations, they are nonetheless central, stresses Simon Stiell.

“Finance is everything,” he asserts.

Why does it matter?

In terms of business, finance and the energy market, it is essential to keep a close eye on the G20’s actions to combat global warming.

The decisions taken by these major economies will have a direct impact on the global energy transition, investment in renewable energies, and the global response to climate change.

If the G20 fails to take significant action, this could have serious economic and environmental consequences on a global scale.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

During President Ilham Aliyev's official visit to China, six agreements were signed between Azerbaijan and Chinese partners to develop green energy projects, including solar power plants, an offshore wind farm, and energy storage systems.
Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to consolidate energy and trade ties between India and Riyadh, a key strategic supplier of crude oil to New Delhi.
Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to consolidate energy and trade ties between India and Riyadh, a key strategic supplier of crude oil to New Delhi.
The United States' dominance in oil and gas production may stagnate and even decline in the coming decades, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. Technological challenges and the rise of low-carbon energies are key factors in this shift.
The United States' dominance in oil and gas production may stagnate and even decline in the coming decades, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. Technological challenges and the rise of low-carbon energies are key factors in this shift.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar met his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey on April 16, 2025, to discuss economic cooperation and security amidst ongoing political tensions and terrorist threats.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar met his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey on April 16, 2025, to discuss economic cooperation and security amidst ongoing political tensions and terrorist threats.
As nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States continue, European countries find themselves sidelined, despite their central role in the 2015 agreement.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, emphasised the urgency of reaching a deal on Iran's nuclear programme before crucial negotiations scheduled this weekend in Rome.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, emphasised the urgency of reaching a deal on Iran's nuclear programme before crucial negotiations scheduled this weekend in Rome.
The Greek government formalises maritime zone planning to optimise resource exploitation, particularly in the energy sector, under European and international legal frameworks.
The Greek government formalises maritime zone planning to optimise resource exploitation, particularly in the energy sector, under European and international legal frameworks.
Moscow refuses to specify the expiry date of the Russia-Ukraine energy strike moratorium, despite ongoing tensions and US diplomatic involvement.
Moscow refuses to specify the expiry date of the Russia-Ukraine energy strike moratorium, despite ongoing tensions and US diplomatic involvement.
The Kremlin has confirmed its willingness to actively support a diplomatic resolution on Iran’s nuclear file, ahead of a new round of talks between Tehran and Washington scheduled for this Saturday.
Abbas Araghchi will meet Sergey Lavrov in Russia before resuming nuclear discussions with the United States, scheduled for 19 April in Muscat under Omani mediation.
Abbas Araghchi will meet Sergey Lavrov in Russia before resuming nuclear discussions with the United States, scheduled for 19 April in Muscat under Omani mediation.
The US decision halts Trinidad and Tobago’s gas ambitions tied to the offshore Dragon field, undermining agreements with Caracas and several major energy companies.
The US decision halts Trinidad and Tobago’s gas ambitions tied to the offshore Dragon field, undermining agreements with Caracas and several major energy companies.
As Russia ratifies a 20-year civil nuclear agreement with Iran, the United States reopens indirect talks in Oman. Tehran demands the lifting of sanctions, while 275 kg of uranium enriched to 60% raises concerns.
As Russia ratifies a 20-year civil nuclear agreement with Iran, the United States reopens indirect talks in Oman. Tehran demands the lifting of sanctions, while 275 kg of uranium enriched to 60% raises concerns.
Russia’s State Duma officially approves a major energy partnership with Iran, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in the oil, natural gas, and civil nuclear sectors, despite ongoing Western sanctions.
The Venezuelan army says it will respond forcefully to any threat following allegations of a plot targeting ExxonMobil's infrastructure in contested waters off Guyana.
The Venezuelan army says it will respond forcefully to any threat following allegations of a plot targeting ExxonMobil's infrastructure in contested waters off Guyana.
Adani, via its subsidiary Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., has launched operations at the Colombo West International Terminal, strengthening the strategic role of Colombo Port in South Asia.
Adani, via its subsidiary Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., has launched operations at the Colombo West International Terminal, strengthening the strategic role of Colombo Port in South Asia.
The French and British governments denounce ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, despite ceasefire discussions backed by the United States.
The French and British governments denounce ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, despite ceasefire discussions backed by the United States.
New Delhi signed new defence and energy agreements with Colombo, consolidating its strategic influence on the island as China continues expanding its investments.
European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is in Baku to reaffirm energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, focusing on the expansion of the gas corridor and regional green energy projects.
European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is in Baku to reaffirm energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, focusing on the expansion of the gas corridor and regional green energy projects.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock ruled out any possibility of reactivating the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, shut down since 2022, despite discussions mentioned by Russia and growing pressure on energy supply.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock ruled out any possibility of reactivating the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, shut down since 2022, despite discussions mentioned by Russia and growing pressure on energy supply.
The United States has sanctioned a Chinese refinery processing Iranian crude, increasing pressure on Tehran and raising concerns over global oil market stability.
The United States has sanctioned a Chinese refinery processing Iranian crude, increasing pressure on Tehran and raising concerns over global oil market stability.
The Algerian energy group Sonelgaz is offering its technical expertise to Burkina Faso to strengthen its electrical infrastructure, illustrating Algeria's strategic intention to consolidate its presence in sub-Saharan Africa’s energy markets.
Washington again delays the enforcement of sanctions against NIS, the Serbian energy company controlled by Gazprom, extending the status quo until the end of April according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Washington again delays the enforcement of sanctions against NIS, the Serbian energy company controlled by Gazprom, extending the status quo until the end of April according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
The United States has strengthened its support for Guyana amid Venezuela’s claims over the Essequibo, warning Caracas of a military response in case of aggression targeting the territory or American oil interests.
The United States has strengthened its support for Guyana amid Venezuela’s claims over the Essequibo, warning Caracas of a military response in case of aggression targeting the territory or American oil interests.
No attacks on energy installations have been reported since a partial agreement announced by the United States, marking a pause in hostilities targeting critical infrastructure.
No attacks on energy installations have been reported since a partial agreement announced by the United States, marking a pause in hostilities targeting critical infrastructure.

Advertising