Canada wanted a stronger and more ambitious agreement on climate change to emerge from the G20 summit, but leaders still made progress by committing to address some key issues, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday.
His comments came as he concluded two days in Rome at the G20 leaders ‘summit, where the leaders’ final communiqué saw them agree for the first time in writing that limiting global warming to 1.5C would be better for everyone. .
But the document also diluted numerous parts of an earlier draft, including substituting specific timelines for reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and phasing out coal energy by the late 2030s, with net zero by “the mid-2030s. century “and phase out coal power.” as soon as possible. “
The language promising to reduce methane emissions was changed only to recognize that curbing methane is a cost-effective and relatively easy way to reduce emissions.
“There is no doubt that Canada and several other countries would have liked stronger language and stronger commitments in the fight against climate change than others,” Trudeau said in his closing press conference.
“But we made significant progress in recognizing that 1.5 degrees is the ambition we must share.”
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A quarter of the G20 leaders skipped the weekend’s events, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Trudeau suggested that affected the language on carbon and net zero emissions.
“This is the kind of thing that Canada will continue to push, along with all of our colleagues,” he said. “Not everyone around the table was present today and we are a group that works on consensus as much as possible. But we will continue to fight for a better future for all.”
China, which is the world’s largest emitter in absolute terms, is still heavily dependent on coal for electricity, as does India. Both have expressed their inability to cut energy from coal at this time. China has also only set a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2060, instead of 2050.
Trudeau’s assessment was similar to that issued by G20 host and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who said it is easier to propose than to execute difficult things.
Draghi said he felt the G20 was working more cooperatively than in recent years.
Trudeau says climate progress was made at the # G20, although Canada wanted a more ambitious plan. #CDNPoli # G20RomeSummit #ClimateChange
But the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, said he was leaving Rome “with my hopes unfulfilled.” He said he now awaits the UN COP26 climate talks in Glasgow for that hope.
Environmental defenders echoed his disappointment.
“If the G20 was a dress rehearsal for COP26, then world leaders softened their lines,” Greenpeace International CEO Jennifer Morgan said in a statement.
“His statement was weak, he lacked ambition and vision, and he just didn’t live up to the moment.”
Eddy Perez, manager of international climate diplomacy for the Climate Action Network of Canada, applauded the G20 leaders for finally realizing the importance of trying to keep global warming at 1.5 C.
“But the credibility of the world’s largest economic bloc lies more (than) in a simple agreement of principles. Without an ambitious and detailed plan to close the climate finance gap and accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels, we will not be able to build a more equitable and just future that ends all expansion of coal, oil and gas. “
Most G20 leaders, including Trudeau, are heading to Glasgow directly from Rome for two days of negotiations to finally finish crafting rules on how the Paris climate agreement will measure progress and manage carbon emissions trading markets.
Hope had been strong language from the G20 as motivation for COP26, when all parties to the Paris agreement will be represented in some way.
Trudeau said the COP will continue to pressure governments to do more to curb global warming, although the same leaders who are missing in Rome are expected to bypass Glasgow as well.
“It is a challenging process to change the trajectory of the world from fossil fuels to more renewable energy and reduce our carbon emissions,” he said. “But it is hard work that people here today, people in Scotland, people around the world are doing, that we are committed to as the G20 and as the world.
Trudeau also said that simply having the G20 talks was progress.
“Every time world leaders are able to come together, particularly after this pandemic year, once again in person, and actually participate together and talk about this existential threat to all of us that is climate change, it is itself a victory”. he said.
This Canadian Press report was first published on October 31, 2021.
Reference-www.nationalobserver.com