The G20 leaders pledged to work towards tripling the world’s renewable energy capacity by 2030 and acknowledged the need to continue phase-down of coal power, but they refrained from establishing significant climate goals.

The 20 largest economies in the world have disagreed on goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions, use fewer fossil fuels, and increase renewable energy sources.

During sherpa level sessions, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and India resisted a proposal by Western nations to treble the capacity of renewable energy sources by 2030 and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2035, according to three officials.

During their two-day summit in New Delhi, the G20 leaders adopted a declaration, but it included no mention of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

It said member nations “will pursue and encourage efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally … in line with national circumstances by 2030.”

Together, the G20 member nations produce more than 80% of the world’s emissions, making a concerted effort by the group to decarbonize essential in the worldwide fight against climate change.

Prior to the COP28 U.N. climate summit later this year in the United Arab Emirates, the globe will be closely watching the climate talks at the bloc’s meeting.

The G20 agreed that “national circumstances” will be taken into account when “unabated coal power” is phased out, but they did not specify a decrease in the consumption of crude oil, which suggests that nations like oil-rich Saudi Arabia triumphed during the negotiations.

The leaders “recognise the importance” of expediting actions that will aid in the transition to low-emission energy systems, the declaration stated, “including accelerating efforts towards phasedown of unabated coal power, in line with national circumstances.”

Earlier environment and energy ministerial meetings had failed to produce a consensus for the union. In addition, the declaration does not make the G7 nations’ preferred deadline of 2050 for achieving net zero obligations.

As an alternative, the statement read: “We reiterate our commitment to achieve global net zero greenhouse gas emissions/carbon neutrality by or around mid-century, while taking into account the most recent scientific advancements and in line with different national circumstances.”

It also made notice of the necessity of giving poor nations access to affordable and sustainable funding to aid in their transition to lower emissions.

(Adapted from ThePrint.in)

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