The G20 block does not reach an agreement on the reduction of fossil fuels

The main economies of the Group of 20 (G20), meeting on Saturday in Indiafailed to reach a consensus on the progressive reduction of fossil fuels due to objections from some producing countries.

Scientists and activists are exasperated by the slowness of international bodies in taking action to curb the global warmingdespite extreme weather conditions in China and the United States highlighting the climate crisis facing the world.

G20 energy officials were scheduled to issue a joint statement at the end of their four-day meeting in Bambolim, a city in the Indian coastal state of Goa. However, it was abandoned due to disagreements such as the intention to triple renewable energy capacities by 2030.

Sections urging developed countries to meet the goal of jointly mobilizing $100 billion a year for climate action in developing economies from 2020-2025 and the description of the war in Ukraine also eluded consensus.

The use of fossil fuels became the focus of the debates, but those responsible failed to reach a consensus to curb their use “incessant”, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

A draft reviewed by Reuters late on Friday read: “Emphasis was placed on the importance of making efforts towards the phasing out of incessant fossil fuels, in line with different national circumstances.”.

However, instead of a joint communiqué, a presidential statement was released on Saturday afternoon, noting that “others had differing views on the question of whether abatement and removal technologies will address such concerns”.

Indian Energy Minister RK Singh told a post-conference press conference that some countries wanted to use carbon capture instead of phasing out fossil fuels.

Although he did not provide their names, it is known which large fossil fuel producers, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, South Africa and Indonesia, oppose the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity in this decade.

(With information from Reuters)