The G20 bloc of wealthy economies meeting in India have reportedly failed to reach a consensus on phasing down fossil fuels after objections by some producer nations.
Scientists and campaigners are furious by international bodies’ foot-dragging on action to curb global heating even as extreme weather across the northern hemisphere underlined the climate crisis facing the world.
According to reports, the G20 member countries together account for more than three-quarters of global emissions and gross domestic product, so a cumulative effort by the group to decarbonise is crucial in the global fight against climate breakdown.
However, disagreements including the intended tripling of renewable energy capacities by 2030 resulted in officials issuing an outcome statement and a chair summary instead of a joint communique at the end of their four-day meeting in Panaji, the capital of the Indian coastal state of Goa.
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“We had a complete agreement on 22 out of 29 paragraphs, and seven paragraphs constitute the chair summary,” the Indian power minister, RK Singh was quoted as saying.
Sections urging developed countries to deliver on the goal of jointly mobilising $100bn (£78bn)a year for climate action in developing economies from 2020-25, and a description of the war in Ukraine, also eluded consensus.
Fossil fuel use became a lightning rod in daylong discussions, but officials failed to reach consensus over curbing “unabated” use and argued over the language to describe the pathway to cut emissions, two sources familiar with the matter said.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
