Brown to Green Report 2019

The Brown to Green Report 2019 is the world’s most comprehensive review of G20 climate action. It provides concise and comparable information on G20 country mitigation action, finance and adaptation.

Developed by experts from 14 research organisations and NGOs from the majority of the G20 countries, the report covers 80 indicators. It informs policy makers and stimulates national debates.

The Summary Report 2019 provides a comprehensive overview of all G20 countries, whether – and how well – they are doing on the journey to transition towards a net-zero emissions economy. The report draws on the latest emissions data from 2018 and covers 80 indicators on decarbonisation, climate policies, finance and vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Providing country ratings, it identifies leaders and laggards in the G20.

Video Recording

Click on the picture of each country profile to download the document.

Argentina (in Spanish)

Indonesia (in Bahasa)

Mexico (in Spanish)

Click on the Key Graphs of the Brown to Green Report 2019 to open in new window for download.

Five highest ranked G20 countries in terms of deaths and economic losses from extreme weather events

Annual average numbers (1998-2017)
Source: Germanwatch – Global Climate Risk Index 2019

Avoided climate change impacts by keeping globalg warming below 1.5 and 2 degrees compared to 3

Percentages of impacts avoided by keeping global warming below 1.5°C and 2°C relative to 3°C impact projections. Baseline values (100% of impacts avoided) correspond to the 1981

National adaptation strategies of G20 countries

Source: Own evaluation

Gap between current G20 GHG emissions excluding LULUCF and
1.5°C compatible fair share 2030 and 2050 emission ranges

Source: Own evaluation based on Climate Action Tracker 2019.

Ambition related to G20 countries’ 1.5°C fair share ranges and current status of implementation

Source: Own evaluation based on Climate Action Tracker 2019.

G20 long-term strategies and net-zero emissions targets by 2050

Source: Own evaluation

Main factors influencing the increase in G20 CO2 emissions in 2018

Source: Enerdata 2019, World Bank 2019

G20 total primary energy supply

Shares in 2018

Source: Enerdata 2019

The energy mix in G20 countries, 2018

Annual growth rate of total primary energy supply from fossil fuels (2018)

Source: Enerdata 2019

Emission intensity of the power sector in the G20, 2018

gC02/kWh

Source: Enerdata 2019

Share of renewables in power generation (incl. large hydro) in the G20, 2018

Source: Enerdata 2019

Power sector: Policy rating

Source: Own evaluation

Transport emissions per capita (excluding aviation) in the G20, 2018

tCO2/capita

Source: Enerdata 2019, World Bank 2019

Transport sector: Policy rating

Source: Own evaluation

Market share of electric vehicles in new car sales

Source: IEA 2019

Aviation emissions per capita (domestic and international) in the G20, 2016

tCO2/capita

Source: IEA 2019

Building emissions per capita in the G20, 2018

tCO2/capita

Source: Enerdata 2019, World Bank 2019

Building sector: policy rating

Source: Own evaluation

Industry emissions intensity in the G20, 2016

tCO2e/US$2015 GVA

Source: Enerdata 2019, PRIMAP 2019, World Bank 2019

Industry sector: policy rating

Source: Own evaluation

Land use sector: policy rating

Source: Own evaluation

Financial policies and regulations in G20 countries supporting a brown to green transition

Source: Own evaluation

Fossil fuel subsidies in G20 countries, 2017

Total subsidies (US$ billions)

* No comparable data exists for the European Union and Saudi Arabia.
Source: OECD 2019

Carbon-pricing gap in G20 countries, 2015

Total subsidies (US$ billions)

* No data exists for the European Union and Saudi Arabia.
Source: OECD 2018

Commitments of G20 public finance institutions to restrict the financing of coal
and coal-fired power

Source: Own evaluation

“The Brown to Green Report is instrumental in understanding, where Indonesia stands in comparison to other G20 countries and contributes to stimulating the national debate about climate change and necessary action.”

Rachmat Witoelar, President’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, former State Minister of Environment of Indonesia

 

“I am already living in this future that others fear. Decisions made today will primarily affect future generations. The climate crisis needs to be taken seriously. We all need to show more action and fight together against climate change. The Brown to Green Report shows how far G20 countries are away from what they owe our future.”

Yola Mgogwana, Young Climate Activist, African Climate Alliance, Earthchild Project, South Africa

 

“China as one of the leading global emitters has a particular responsibility and an interest in transitioning to a low-carbon economy as soon as possible. Experts from G20 countries, drafting together the Brown to Green Report, provide great insights about what have been and could be done, which as a result drives the national debate forward.”

Sze Ping Lo, CEO of WWF China

 

“The European Union is leading by example and working with other countries on the transition towards climate-neutral and resilient societies. Our efforts to tackle climate change can only succeed if all major economies are moving in the same direction. The Brown to Green Report provides valuable information on the gaps, recent developments and the most urgent actions.”

Miguel Arias Cañete, EU Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action

Climate Transparency launched its 2019 Report „Brown to Green – the G20 transition towards a net-zero emissions economy” ahead COP25, followed by several events in partner countries.

Below you can find examples of the media coverage. Click on the picture to read the full article.

The Guardian

“Australia’s climate response among the worst in the G20, report finds”

Infobae (Argentina)

“Cambio climático: Vaca Muerta y la tardía adopción de energías renovables, algunos de los factores del bajo rendimiento de Argentina para cumplir con el Acuerdo de París”

The Huffington Post, Canada Edition (Canada)

“Canada’s Climate Action Plan Scores Poorly On Global Report Card”

China Dialogue (China)

“G20 heads in the wrong direction on climate action”

Les Echos (France)

“Climat : les pays du G20 en trop grand déphasage avec l’accord de Paris”

Spiegel Online (Germany)

“Industrieländer treiben die Welt Richtung drei Grad Erwärmung”

Deutsche Welle (Germany)

“G20-Staaten versagen beim Klimaschutz”

Tagesschau (Germany)

“Kein G20-Staat auf 1,5-Grad-Kurs”

The Times of India (India)

“In G20, only India is close to 1.5 degree Celsius temperature rise ‘pathway'”

The Jakarta Post (Indonesia)

“‘Not sacrificing my grandchildren’s future’: Minister Luhut vows govt will protect environment”

ESI Africa (South Africa)

“Brown to Green emissions report released, SA not measuring up”

iKLim HABER (Turkey)

“G20 Ülkeleri 1.5 Derece Hedefinden Çok Uzakta”

ANSA (Italy)

“Clima, nessun Paese G20 in linea con obiettivi Parigi”

TIO (Switzerland)

“Clima: Australia maglia nera, ma nessun Paese G20 in linea con gli obiettivi”

El Mundo (Spain)

“Las emisiones de CO2 crecieron en todos los países del G20 el año pasado”

Le Soir (Belgium)

“Climat: aucune des nations du G20 sur la voie de limiter le réchauffement climatique à 1,5 degré”

VIDEOS

DIGDAYA TV covering the launch event of the Brown to Green Report 2019 in Indonesia