Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Urges G20 Leaders to Address Climate Emergency

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Urges G20 Leaders to Address Climate Emergency image/NDTV

Warning of an Unprecedented Climate Emergency

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva delivered a stark message to world leaders at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, emphasizing the severity of the climate crisis. He characterized the planet’s current situation as an “unprecedented climate emergency” and highlighted the increasing frequency of droughts, floods, storms, and fires.

Critical G20 Summit Amidst Climatic Challenges

The G20 leaders gathered for the summit during what is likely the hottest year in human history. However, there are concerns that the divided group may struggle to reach a consensus on ambitious climate action. Failure to do so could significantly impact expectations for the upcoming COP28 climate talks scheduled for November in the United Arab Emirates.

Previous Hurdles and Urgent Need for Progress

In July, G20 energy ministers did not mention coal in their final statement and failed to agree on a roadmap for phasing down coal. Additionally, there was no significant progress made on renewable energy goals. Given that G20 countries collectively contribute to 85 percent of global GDP and a similar proportion of global climate-warming emissions, taking substantial action within the G20 framework is considered crucial for real progress on climate change.

President Lula’s call to address the climate emergency underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for unified and impactful climate action on a global scale.