NEW DELHI (AP) — G20 leaders agreed Saturday to try to triple renewable energy and increase funding for climate change-related disasters, but maintained the status quo on phasing out carbon-spewing coal. Kept.
At a press conference shortly after leaders of the Group of 20 of the world’s largest economies – which emit 80% of all planet-warming gases – announced the agreement, Amitabh Kant, a senior Indian government official, said some of the G20 Led the negotiations. It was called “probably the most vibrant, dynamic and ambitious document on climate action yet.”
While most climate and energy experts were not as enthusiastic, they agreed that the G20 leaders sent a strong message on climate action, even as natural disasters such as extreme heat continue to increase across the world.
There were disagreements even at the last meeting of G20 climate ministers before the summit.
Global leaders and climate experts say the announcement significantly advances negotiations, setting the stage for an ambitious climate agreement when they meet at COP28, the global climate summit in Dubai later this year.
“These 20 countries account for 80% of global emissions, so this announcement sends a powerful signal for climate progress,” said Sultan Al-Jaber, who chaired the climate summit in Dubai.
Some climate activists said more could be done.
“While the G20’s commitment to renewable energy targets is commendable, it ignores the root cause – our global dependence on fossil fuels,” said Harjeet Singh of Climate Action Network International.
According to a report by Global Energy Monitor, an organization that tracks a variety of energy projects around the world, G20 countries are home to 93% of global operating coal power plants and 88% of new proposed coal power plants that do not have them. Carbon capture technologies.
Singh, who has monitored international climate negotiations for more than two decades, said, “This group has the responsibility to set an example for rich countries, turn their promises into actions and help build a greener, more equitable future for all.” The time has come.”
For the first time, G20 countries agreed on the quantum needed to transition to clean energy. The document says developing countries need $5.9 trillion by 2030 to meet their climate targets. It says developing countries will need an additional $4 trillion each year by the end of the decade if they are to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
“There were a lot of firsts at this G20,” said Madhura Joshi, a Mumbai-based energy analyst at climate think tank E3G. “However, it is disappointing that the G20 could not agree on phasing out fossil fuels.”
“Raising renewable energy and reducing fossil fuels essentially need to happen together – we need strong bold action from leaders on both. Now all eyes are on COP28 – can leaders deliver?” He said.
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Sibi Arasu, The Associated Press
