The G20 Summit under Saudi Arabia’s Presidency took place on 21-22 November. The Leaders’ Declaration focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic – both to mobilize resources for strengthening global health systems and to support economic recovery.

Climate change did gain limited attention at the Summit, in spite of the G20 countries being the biggest economies and responsible for more than three quarter of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The Declaration mentions that the Financial Stability Board (FSB) is continuing to examine the implications of climate change on the stability of the financial system. G20 leaders also pointed out that while recovering from the pandemic, G20 countries are committed to protecting the planet and building a more environmentally sustainable and inclusive future. Moreover, they endorsed the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) Platform, with the 4Rs framework (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Remove), recognizing the key importance and ambition of reducing emissions. Concrete actions, however, as for example honouring a long-standing commitment to phase our fossil fuel subsidies, are missing.

In their 2019 Osaka Declaration the G20 leaders had committed to “by 2020 we aim to communicate, update or maintain our NDCs, taking into account that further global efforts are needed.” So far only Japan has submitted a new NDC – and without an increase in its target. Meanwhile, Australia, Russia, and Indonesia have communicated that they will not update targets.

In the 2020 Leaders’ Declaration the G20 countries reaffirmed to the full implementation of the Paris Agreement and once more they promised to communicate or update their NDCs.

What is needed now are urgent action and increased ambition in order to meet the Paris Agreement goals. The delayed NDCs are the best opportunity for the G20 countries to show that they are willing to turn their words into actions.

Watch our videos prepared by Climate Transparency Partners, addressing the question of “Why and how to raise climate ambition” in their countries based on the findings of the Climate Transparency Report 2020.

“Why and how to raise climate ambition in Argentina?”

“Why and how to raise climate ambition in Australia?”

“Why and how to raise climate ambition in Brazil?”

“Why and how to raise climate ambition in India?”

“Why and how to raise climate ambition in Indonesia?”

“Why and how to raise climate ambition in Mexico?”

“Why and how to raise climate ambition in South Africa?”

“Why and how to raise climate ambition in South Korea?”