G20 Fails To Cut A Deal On Reducing Fossil Fuel Use

The Group of 20 (G20) major economies meeting in India failed on Saturday to reach a consensus on phasing down fossil fuels following objections by some producer nations, Sudarshan Varadhan and Nidhi Verma reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: The G20 member countries together account for over three-quarters of global emissions and gross domestic product (GDP).

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.

The G20 member countries together account for over three-quarters of global emissions and gross domestic product (GDP), and a cumulative effort by the group to decarbonize is crucial in the global fight against climate change.

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 Bambolim, in the Indian coastal state of Goa.

A joint communique is issued when there is complete agreement between member nations on all issues. "We had a complete agreement on 22 out of 29 paragraphs, and seven paragraphs constitute the Chair summary," Indian Power Minister R.K. Singh said.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic