Differentiated responsibility gets G20 nod before COP28

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greenhouse gas emissions, to meet Paris Agreement goals but doesn’t explicitly lay down as to how they would do it. One of the critical aspects of the declaration, however, is that it underlines the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) in mitigation efforts, and also of different national circumstances that can be useful to the countries of the Global South ahead of the UN Climate Meeting (COP28) in Dubai in November.

There is deep trust deficit at climate negotiations particularly on historical responsibility, sharing of the mitigation burden and on the lack of adequate climate finance. The strongest show of intent is in their commitment “to achieve global net zero GHG emissions/carbon neutrality by or around mid-century" and “pursue and encourage efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally through existing targets and policies, as well as demonstrate similar ambition with respect to other zero and low-emission technologies, including abatement and removal technologies, in line with national circumstances by 2030." Both of these will help strengthen mitigation action at COP28.

The declaration is silent on phasing down or phasing out fossil fuels; so it is not very clear how the continuation of fossil fuels and increase in renewable energy capacity will reconcile to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. Experts said the commitment to net zero is a strong show of intent while also recognizing that it is a “global" goal and that all countries are not expected to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

“I note that the declaration commits countries to achieve global net zero emissions by mid-century. Hopefully, the advanced economies will recognize that they need to achieve this milestone well