Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Reactions have trailed agreement at just concluded G20 leaders meeting to triple renewable energy and try to increase the funds for climate change-related disasters.
At end of the meeting, the leaders agreed to “pursue and encourage all efforts to triple Renewable Energy capacity globally through existing policies and targets as well as draw similar ambition to other zero and low emission technology including abatement and removal tech.
They also agreed to supports the “Voluntary action plan for doubling rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030; rapid reduction in GHG emissions by 43% by 2030 relative to 2019 levels with peaking year to fall b/e 2020 to 2025 but reverts back to differentiated positions of developed and developing countries; Commits the G20 to work towards facilitating low cost finance to promote new and emerging technologies, clean and sustainable technology for developing countries; puts a figure of annual investment of $4 trillion, amongst other decisions.
In his reaction, Friederike Roder, Senior Director for EU and G20 Advocacy & Financing, Global Citizen’s noted that the meeting failed to give directions on a future without fossil fuels.
“This G20 was meant to show the way towards a future without fossil fuels. While it recognizes the IPCC conclusions on reducing emissions by 43% by 2030, it totally fails to say anything on phase out of all fossil fuels, not just coal. This is a terrible signal to the world, especially the poorest and most vulnerable countries and populations.
“The global financial reform is crucial to provide more financing for the fight against climate change, in particular in the poorest and most vulnerable countries. But progress is too slow. The G20 do call on the MDBs such as the World Bank to provide 200B$ in additional lending over ten years – the recommendations on how to do this were already submitted to the G20 a year ago!
Madhura Joshi of E3G said “This G20 has seen many firsts, including the African Union’s G20 membership, making the G20 more inclusive. We have seen a landmark decision to support tripling global renewable energy capacity, important for both development and climate goals; support for doubling the rate of energy efficiency, crucial for energy transitions; and for reforming multilateral banks, which can help unlock affordable finance for implementation”
“Reiterating language from the last G20 on efforts to phase down coal just maintains the status quo. Increasing renewables must be backed by phasing down fossil fuels – both are indispensable for just transitions and a net-zero world. There’s also far too much talk about expensive, unproven abatement technologies, which cannot be used as an excuse to delay action. We need stronger bolder action from leaders on both. All eyes now on COP28 – can the leaders deliver”.
According to Mohammed Adow, Founder and Director, Powershift Africa welcome the inclusion of African Union into the G20 “Hopefully adding countries on the very front line of the climate crisis will provide some impetus to improve the quality and urgency of the G20’s response to climate change. For too long the G20 has dragged its feet, making promises on climate then failing to act on them. We need to see African leaders holding the G20 polluters feet to fire and turn it into a group that takes the lead on climate action.”
Tasneem Essop, Executive Director, Climate Action Network noted that the G20 countries, who together account for over 80% of global emissions, have once again shown that they are not serious about addressing the climate emergency.
“They have failed to address the root cause of the climate crisis – fossil fuels, which does not even get a mention in the declaration. This shows a dangerous backsliding despite the recent devastating climate impacts experienced across the world and the most recent UN assessment showing a glaring gap in the delivery of the Paris Agreement goals”.
