How India and the G20 ducked the coal question again

Under an Indian presidency at the Group of 20 major economies’ summit earlier this month, world leaders pledged to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, but failed to set goals on the phasing out of fossil fuels — a reflection of New Delhi’s own conflicted stance on clean energy transition, said climate activists.

India presented the agreement as a win in a geopolitical environment marred by tension over the war in Ukraine, with G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant calling it “probably the most vibrant, dynamic and ambitious document on climate action.” The joint statement emphasized the need for better climate financing, with countries agreeing for the first time that low- and middle-income countries needed $5.8-5.9 trillion by 2030 to meet climate goals.

But leaders were criticized for failing to take more concrete steps toward halting the use of fossil fuels — which experts say is necessary to limit the worst impacts of climate change. The countries that make up the G20 represent 85% of global GDP and account for 80% of global emissions.