The Climate Transparency Report 2020

The Climate Transparency Report (previously known as „Brown to Green Report”) is the world’s most comprehensive annual review of G20 countries’ climate action and their transition to a net-zero emissions economy.

The review is based on 100 indicators for adaptation, mitigation and finance and aims to make good practices and gaps transparent. The summary report and 20 country profiles allow the report to be a clear reference tool for decision makers.

This year’s report consists of two parts: the annual policy assessment based on data of the previous year(s) is complemented by an analysis of the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and recovery efforts on countries’ climate ambition.

Summary Report

The Summary Report 2020 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 2019 and 2020 and covers 100 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.

Download the Climate Transparency Report 2020 in English

Download the Climate Transparency Report 2020 in Portuguese

Download the Climate Transparency Report 2020 in Spanish

Download the Summary Presentation

Country Profiles

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

Argentina (in Spanish)

Brazil (in Portuguese)

Mexico (in Spanish)

South Korea (in Korean)

Non-G20 countries (not included in the Summary Report)

Bangladesh

Colombia

Nepal

Nigeria

Pakistan

Philippines

Vietnam

Key Graphs

Click on the Key Graphs of the Report 2020 to open in new window for download.

Greenness of Stimulus Index

(October 2020)

Source: vivideconomics, 2020

Projected change in energy consumption and sectoral emissions in the G20

(2020)

Source: Enerdata, 2020

Projected change in G20 GDP and energy-related CO2 emissions

% change in G20 GDP and energy-related CO2 emissions (2020)

Source: Enerdata, 2020

Projected share of renewables in power generation in the G20

% share renewables in power generation and percentage point change (2020)

Source: Enerdata, 2020

Per capita GHG emissions (incl. land use) in the G20

GHG emissions per capita (tCO2 /capita) (2017)

*Data for Argentina is for 2016 and trend for 2011-2016.
Source: Climate Action Tracker, 2019; Gütschow et al., 2019; World Bank, 2019

Main factors influencing energy-related CO2 emissions

(2019)

Source: Enerdata, 2020

Energy mix in G20 countries

(2019)

Source: Enerdata, 2020

G20 energy-related CO2 emissions by sector

(2019)

Source: Enerdata, 2020

Share of renewables in power generation

% share RE in power generation (2019) and % change (2014-2019)

Source: Enerdata, 2020

Renewables in Power Generation

(2019)

Source: Enerdata, 2020

Transport emissions per capita (excl. aviation) in the G20

tCO2/capita (2018) and % change (2013-2018)

Source: Enerdata, 2020; The World Bank, 2019

Reduction in domestic jet fuel consumption

% decrease in domestic jet fuel consumption for period March to June 2019-2020

Source: Enerdata, 2020

Aviation emissions per capita

Domestic and international in the G20 (2017)

Source: Enerdata, 2020

Building emissions (incl. indirect emissions)

Per capita in the G20 (2019)

Source: Enerdata, 2020

G20 financial polcies and regulations

Source: Analysis based on a revised version of data presented in D’Orazio and Popoyan, 2019

Energy efficiency policies

Source: Own evaluation based on ACEEE’s Industry Efficiency score covers

Policy rating – cars-heavy-duty-modul shift

Source: Own evaluation

Policy rating – Renewable energy and Coal phase-out in the power sector

Source: Own evaluation

Policies restricting fossil fuel support at bilateral institutions

Source: Oil Change International & Friends of the Earth U.S., 2020

Policy rating – Buildings

Source: Own evaluation

2015 NDC targets for 2030

Source: Own evaluation based on Climate Action Tracker

G20 fossil fuel and fossil fuel electricity subsidies (2019)

Source: OECD-IEA Fossil Fuel Support database, 2020

G20 fossil fuel subsidies by year

Source: OECD-IEA Fossil Fuel Support database, 2020

Global impacts of climate change

Source: Arnell, 2019

Key Graph bundle of the Report 2020

Technical Note

Click the button to download the Technical Note of the Climate Transparency Report 2020.

Technical Note: Sources and Methodology

Others about the Report

“The consequences of climate change can already be felt. We need to prepare and take decisive action now. The Climate Transparency Report names adaptation measures that are needed and what countries should include in their plans.”

Christiana Figueres, Founding Partner, Global Optimism and former Executive Secretary, UNFCCC

“The post-corona recovery packages can lead to a greener and more just world. Unfortunately, many do not live up to that aspiration. The Climate Transparency Report provides an excellent overview of the recovery programs with good examples as well as missed chances.”

Prof. Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel laureate economist, Columbia University

“We are at a crossroads: one road leads to climate crisis with extreme heat, fires and flooding increasingly impacting G20 countries, the other to a resilient, sustainable and inclusive future for all. G20 leaders need to reaffirm their commitment to the right course. The Climate Transparency Report identifies clear opportunities for the G20 to enhance climate ambition on the road to COP26 and to align their financial systems with the Paris goals and the SDGs.”

Laurence Tubiana, CEO European Climate Foundation

“Climate crisis is already here and countries need to do much more to fight it. The future is now or there is no future. The Climate Transparency Report clearly shows what each country should do, so if you still do not know, which actions are necessary, you must read it, there is no excuses!”

Nicole Becker, Jovenes por el Clima, Argentina

“The G20 represents some of the highest emitting countries in the world. They therefore have a responsibility to lead with ambitious climate action. The Climate Transparency Report not only helps these countries understand how much more they need to do, but also helps citizens in holding these governments accountable for implementing the Paris Agreement.”

Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of Climate Action Network-International