Leaders of the world’s biggest economies made no major progress on ending climate negotiations on Monday during a G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro that was overshadowed by wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
But on the other hand, they clearly showed their disappointment with the lack of commitment to accelerate the transition towards abandoning fossil fuels, a formulation that reached the COP28 in Dubai last year and was not resumed in Rio.
Left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will chair the forum this year, and multilateralism, which is already in bad shape, threatens to worsen further with the return of Donald Trump on the White House.
Lula can be proud of being able to launch the Global Alliance against hunger and poverty, an alliance of 82 countries, and that he succeeded with a common commitment to work together to tax “effectively” the most lucky
The Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, urged them on Sunday to take their “leadership” and make a “compromise” to end the negotiations.
No white smoke
No white smoke, however, came out of the Museum of Modern Art, on the edge of the sublime bay of Rio, where the summit was held.
“The leaders are going to Baku, but the problem is that the people who make the decisions are actually in Rio,” Mick Sheldrick, co-founder of the NGO Global Citizen, replied to AFP.
“They did not face the challenge,” he said, regretting that there was “not even a reference to what was achieved at COP28” in Dubai last year.
The G20 leaders did not really include in their declaration the commitment to “work towards a just, orderly and fair transition towards a transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems”, which was torn from Dubai.
The members of the G20 (19 countries, plus the European Union and the African Union) account for 85% of global GDP and 80% of greenhouse gas emissions.
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How can grassroots movements influence climate policy at international events like COP28?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Climate Expert
Editor: Good day, everyone! Today, we’re discussing the recent G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, where climate negotiations took center stage but ultimately made no significant progress. Joining me is Dr. Emily Rivera, a renowned climate policy expert. Welcome, Dr. Rivera!
Dr. Rivera: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: The G20 summit was supposed to be a turning point for climate discussions, but it seems the impact of global conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East, overshadowed those talks. What are your thoughts on how these geopolitical tensions are affecting climate negotiations?
Dr. Rivera: It’s quite concerning. When leaders are preoccupied with immediate crises, such as wars, they often sideline long-term issues like climate change. While I understand the urgency of addressing these conflicts, the lack of focus on climate commitments is alarming, especially given the pressing nature of the climate crisis.
Editor: You mentioned that the leaders expressed disappointment at the summit. Can you elaborate on what they were disappointed about in terms of fossil fuel commitments?
Dr. Rivera: Certainly. There was a clear expectation among many leaders that the G20 would take a significant step towards a global agreement to phase out fossil fuels. Instead, we saw a lack of strong commitment and concrete plans to accelerate the transition towards cleaner energy sources. This is particularly concerning given that the COP28 is approaching and the world needs a collective push to meet climate targets.
Editor: How does the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels impact our climate goals?
Dr. Rivera: The continued dependence on fossil fuels directly contradicts the critical target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Each year we delay the transition, we face increasingly severe climate impacts, from extreme weather events to rising sea levels, which disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. The longer we defer this transition, the more testing and costly it becomes.
Editor: Despite the setback at the G20, do you think there are still opportunities to foster meaningful climate action, perhaps at COP28?
Dr. Rivera: Absolutely! While the G20 summit was disappointing, COP28 provides a vital platform for countries to reaffirm their commitments and push for more ambitious targets. Civil society, the private sector, and youth movements are increasingly vocal and organized—they are shaping the dialogue around climate action, and their influence is imperative moving forward.
Editor: Speaking of youth movements, how do you see the role of younger generations in advocating for climate change?
Dr. Rivera: The youth have been phenomenal in raising awareness and mobilizing action around climate change. They are not just stakeholders; they are critical leaders in this space. Their ability to harness social media and engage peers has created a powerful movement that demands accountability from our political leaders. Their passionate advocacy can help maintain momentum for climate negotiations.
Editor: Before we wrap up, what would be your call to action for our leaders as they head towards COP28?
Dr. Rivera: My plea would be for leaders to prioritize climate action as a global imperative, not just a political talking point. They must show a commitment to phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy systems. We need a collaborative effort that includes all nations, especially those most affected by climate change, to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rivera, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue. It is crucial that we continue to engage in meaningful dialogue surrounding climate change. We appreciate your expertise!
Dr. Rivera: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing these important topics.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in! Let’s continue to advocate for a better, more sustainable world. Until next time!