This archive report was first published on 31 October 2021.
On October 31, 2021, G20 leaders gathered in Rome for a summit aimed at finding a solution to the pressing issue of climate change. The meeting comes ahead of the UN climate talks in Glasgow, where nearly 200 leaders will gather to discuss the future of the planet.
The Group of 20 major economies is responsible for nearly 80% of global carbon emissions, making their commitment to reducing emissions crucial in the fight against climate change. However, draft communiques suggest that the G20 leaders may fall short of a firm pledge to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels or a clear timeline on how to reach net-zero emissions.
Experts say that meeting the 1.5 degree target, as set out in the 2015 Paris climate deal, requires slashing global emissions nearly in half by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2050. Despite the challenges, US President Joe Biden is pushing for tough action, although his own climate policy is mired in infighting within his party.
US officials expressed hope that the summit would commit to ending overseas financing of coal, offering positive language on decarbonizing the power sector, and seeing more countries sign up to targets on cutting methane. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of the summit in ensuring the success of the Glasgow talks, saying that
