When the environment ministers of the G20 nations convene in Chennai, India on Friday, they will be concluding the hottest month ever recorded on Earth. This significant meeting will set the tone for the upcoming COP28 summit in November, and Canada has a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership. The G20 includes major polluters such as Canada, the United States, China, and India, which collectively contribute to 78% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It is worth noting that this meeting follows closely after Canada became the first G20 country to introduce a plan to gradually eliminate “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies.
The urgency of the current climate crisis cannot be understated. “This meeting is taking place amidst unparalleled climate events worldwide. We desperately need progress on climate action, and the G20 ministers must rise to the occasion,” highlighted Pratishtha Singh, a senior policy analyst at Climate Action Network Canada. According to reports from Indian media outlets, the environment ministers will likely discuss climate mitigation, adaptation, and climate finance. Hindustan Times, a prominent Indian publication, has also conveyed that the G20 communiqué is expected to outline the group’s expectations for the imminent COP28 summit in Dubai.
Canadian Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault has traveled to India to participate in the summit. “Minister Guilbeault is in India to enhance global cooperation on climate, biodiversity, and pollution alongside Indian and international partners. Together, we are committed to building a healthier planet for all,” stated Environment Canada. Just before departing for India, Guilbeault unveiled a framework to assess and gradually eliminate inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Canada stands as the first G20 country to introduce such a plan.
Under this framework, fossil fuel companies would only maintain subsidies if they make substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and prioritize Indigenous involvement, offer essential energy services to remote communities, provide short-term assistance during emergencies, or support projects that incorporate carbon capture. Pratishtha Singh believes that Canada’s announcement will exert pressure on other major polluters to contemplate phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. “Canada is leading by example among the G20 countries. This discourse around gradually reducing fossil fuel subsidies will continue to gain traction,” she stated.
While Canada’s plan may not be flawless, Singh argues that Ottawa must persuade the rest of the G20 to adopt a similar framework. The global conversation is progressively moving towards discontinuing financing for fossil fuels. However, the environment ministers’ meeting takes place in the aftermath of a disappointing energy ministers’ meeting last week. The G20 emphasized the importance of a fair and sustainable energy transition but failed to reach an agreement on a framework for reducing fossil fuel usage. This setback does not bode well for future climate negotiations.
On Thursday morning, UN climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell and COP28 president-designate Sultan Al Jaber released a joint statement on the outcomes of the energy meeting. “Although the discussions at the G20 Energy Ministerial addressed energy transitions and aligning current pathways with the goals of the Paris Agreement, they did not provide a sufficiently clear signal for transforming global energy systems, scaling up renewable and clean energy sources, and responsibly phasing out fossil fuels,” they expressed in their statement.
The joint statement stressed that the G20 holds the responsibility to lead the way in terms of climate action. “The G20 is accountable for 85% of the world’s GDP, as well as 80% of global emissions. Leadership by the G20 is indispensable to foster an inclusive and ambitious development agenda, showcasing to the world that the journey towards a net-zero and climate-resilient planet comes with significant benefits for growth, poverty eradication, and sustainable development,” they emphasized.
These crucial G20 ministerial discussions coincide with Canada grappling with an extreme wildfire season and numerous devastating flooding events. Moreover, Europe and North America have recently experienced severe heatwaves. Experts assert that these deadly heatwaves in the American southwest, southern Europe, and China are directly linked to the escalating presence of warming gases in the atmosphere. These prolonged and intense heatwaves are occurring more frequently due to the burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, oil, and natural gas.
Additionally, a recent study revealed that stagnant atmospheric conditions, exacerbated by carbon dioxide and other gases, have amplified the intensity of heatwaves. The European heatwave was 2.5 degrees Celsius hotter, the American and Mexican heatwave was 2 degrees Celsius warmer, and the Chinese heatwave was 1 degree Celsius hotter due to these factors. As such, while Canada’s plan to phase out fossil fuel subsidies is commendable, experts argue that it fails to address certain loopholes. Notably, the plan does not encompass loans, guarantees, and equity provided for projects like the TransMountain and Coastal GasLink pipelines.
The TransMountain pipeline was acquired by the Canadian government in 2018, with intentions to sell it at a later date. The Coastal GasLink pipeline is jointly owned by TC Energy, the Alberta Investment Management Corp., and KKR & Co. Inc., with 20 First Nations holding options agreements for a 10% equity stake. It is crucial for these gaps to be addressed to ensure a comprehensive and effective strategy to combat climate change.
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