G20 nations urged to accord top priority to climate action

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 18: The annual UN climate gathering recently concluded a week-long session in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, as global attention now shifts to the G20 Summit in South America. Leaders of the world’s largest economies are being urged to significantly boost climate finance to accelerate climate action in developing and least-developed nations. The G20 Summit, set to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18-19, will provide a crucial platform for these discussions.

On November 16, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, issued a statement calling on G20 leaders to prioritize climate action as a central agenda item. Stiell emphasized that the world is closely watching the Summit, hoping it will address climate change, which he described as the most urgent challenge of our time.

“The G20 was created to solve problems that no single country, or group of countries, can solve alone. Based on that principle, addressing the global climate crisis must be the top priority in Rio next week,” Stiell stated, highlighting the urgent need for emission reductions. He further stressed that “bolder climate action is essential for the self-preservation of every G20 economy. Without rapid cuts in emissions, no G20 economy will escape the severe economic consequences of climate change.”

Stiell also noted positively that some G20 nations have committed $2 trillion this year to clean energy initiatives. A dedicated G20 Summit website describes the event as the "moment when heads of state and government ratify agreements negotiated throughout the year and outline strategies to tackle global challenges." Brazil, as the host, is advocating for global collaboration to end hunger, along with focusing on issues like social inclusion, global governance, sustainable development, and energy transition.

The G20, which rotates its presidency annually, is holding this year’s Summit under the theme "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet." Originally established in 1999 as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to address global economic and financial issues, the G20 now includes the African Union, the European Union, and 19 member countries from Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Both China and India are key members of this influential bloc. The Summit will conclude with a G20 leaders’ declaration, outlining agreed-upon strategies and commitments. Last year, India hosted the event.