As the G20 countries prepare to meet in Rome on 30–31 October for a summit to prepare for the 26th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the leaders of Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia and Sweden have sent a joint letter on Thursday 21 October calling on the countries to set the tone for COP26 by being more ambitious on climate issues.
“We call on the G20 countries to send a clear signal that they are fully aware of the responsibility they bear (...) We need the largest emitters and wealthiest countries to move now if we are to succeed”, stated the letter, which was also signed by the leaders of the Marshall Islands, Grenada and Costa Rica.
In particular, the nine countries who signed the letter are calling for all G20 countries to submit their climate plans – known as ‘nationally determined contributions’, or NDCs – before COP26 takes place, with the aim of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5°C and preventing “the worst climate impacts”.
“Our message is very clear: we need the G20 to step up and to raise their ambition before we meet in Glasgow”, insisted Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen when arriving at the European Council (see other news).
“Join the European ambition!” said her Belgian counterpart, Alexander De Croo.
The letter also called on G20 countries to commit to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and to establish specific strategies for achieving this, as well as showing solidarity by fulfilling the pledge by developed countries to mobilise $100 billion a year until 2025 in order to help developing countries cope with climate change.
While it is too soon to say what the outcome of next week’s G20 summit will be, the negotiations are likely to be complicated.
According to Reuters news agency, the world’s 20 richest countries are unable to come to an agreement on either a phase-out of coal or to commit to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees; this is particularly due to the fact that China, India and Russia are blocking this.
It is worth noting that in parallel to the letter from the nine countries, the European Parliament has adopted a resolution for COP26 (see other news).
This is due to be held in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November.
See the letter: https://bit.ly/3b0glji (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)