G20 bloc fails to reach agreement

The Group of 20 (G20) major economies meeting in India failed on Saturday to reach consensus on phasing down fossil fuels following objections by some producer nations.

Scientists and campaigners are exasperated by international bodies’ foot-dragging on action to curb global warming even as extreme weather from China to the US underlines the climate crisis facing the world.

G20 energy officials had been due to issue a joint communique at the end of their four-day meeting in Bambolin, a town in the Indian coastal state of Goa. But it was dropped due to disagreements including the intended tripling of renewable energy capacities by 2030.

Fossil fuel use became a lightning rod in day-long discussions, but officials failed to reach consensus over curbing “unabated” use, two sources familiar with the matter said.

A joint communique was released on Saturday evening, noting that “others had different views on the matter that abatement and removal technologies will address such concerns.”

India’s Power Minister RK Singh, in a press briefing after the conference ended, said some countries wanted to use carbon capture instead of a phase down of fossil fuels.

On Friday, major fossil fuel producers, including Saudi Arabia and Russia opposed a proposal to triple G20 countries’ renewable energy capacity by 2030, sources said.

China as well as South Africa and Indonesia, also opposed the plan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2023.

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