G20 leaders focus on climate change at Rio summit

G20 leaders met in Rio to boost climate action, calling for increased finance and progress at COP29 in Baku. Key goals include aiding developing nations, addressing global warming, and finalising a treaty on plastic pollution by 2024.

G20 leaders met in Rio de Janeiro to address sustainable development and the transition to clean energy, aiming to boost the chances of a global climate deal at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The COP29 host urged G20 nations to send a strong signal on climate action to save stalled talks.

With 2024 set to be the hottest year on record, leaders seek to solidify a response to global warming ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency, amid concerns he may withdraw from the Paris Agreement.  

In a joint statement, G20 nations called for a significant increase in climate finance to aid developing countries and urged COP29 negotiators to finalise a new financial goal by week’s end. However, no specific targets were set, sparking criticism from activists over the lack of concrete commitments.  

Developed nations argue for broader funding contributions, including from wealthier developing nations like China, while countries such as Brazil insist the responsibility lies with developed economies.  

The G20, responsible for 85% of the global economy and over 75% of emissions, also pledged to finalise a treaty to combat plastic pollution by the end of 2024.

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