Saudi Obstacle to G20 Fossil Fuel Deal

As the world grapples with the climate crisis, some countries led by Saudi Arabia have blocked moves by G20 countries to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

In the summary document released on Saturday, after intensive negotiations among the G20 countries under the auspices of India, it was noted that no agreement was reached on the reduction of fossil fuels due to objections from some countries.

While some member states emphasize the need to gradually reduce fossil fuels according to different national conditions, some countries want to focus on technology development for the carbon capture method.

SAUDI ARABIA LEADS TO OBJECTION

The sources told the Financial Times that Saudi Arabia has been ahead of the curve in the push to phase out fossil fuels and is supported by several other countries.

It is known that in previous negotiations, Russia and China opposed the use of fossil fuels and broke an agreement at the UN climate summit in Egypt last year.

The G7 countries agreed to accelerate the phasing out of fossil fuels.

NO AGREEMENT ON RENEWABLE ENERGY

There was also no progress at Saturday’s meeting on setting a global target for renewable energy development.

According to Bloomberg, German Economy and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck claimed that Russia and Saudi Arabia oppose a deal that will triple their renewable generation capacity by 2030, and that China is hindering further cooperation on critical raw materials.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, India’s Energy Minister RK Singh said the majority of the G20 was in his favor and it was a “great conference”.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS OUT OF CONTROL

E3G’s Alden Meyer, known for his climate work, told the G20 meeting that there are strong divisions over the need for a just, rapid and equitable transition from fossil fuels.

“As daily temperature records are broken around the world and the effects of climate change spiral out of control, the world needed to hear a clear call to action,” Meyer said.

According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global emissions must be cut by 43 percent by 2030 to stop the global rise above 1.5C.

However, according to the United Nations Environment Program, the world is on track to increase temperatures between 2.4°C and 2.6°C by 2100. Temperatures have risen by at least 1.1C.