G20 leaders called on to put climate action first

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh urged global leaders to take immediate action on climate change and offer critical support for mitigation and adaptation efforts.

He delivered this call during the second G20 Environment and Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting held on Monday at Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga.

“I wish to reiterate what was said during the first G20 ECSWG meeting in March this year: we are less than five years away from our deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the end of this critical decade for climate action. 

“Yet, we are still far from attaining these goals and action targets,” he said. 

Levels are worsening

The Deputy Minister stated that poverty levels are rising, pollution from hazardous chemicals is growing, and greenhouse gas emissions hit record highs last year.

“This calls for an urgent acceleration of our efforts. Our commitment to achieve these goals must not waver, as we are all negatively affected. That is why South Africa has placed solidarity, equality and sustainability at the centre of our G20 Presidency.” 

Following the successful virtual meeting earlier this year, South Africa’s G20 Presidency set out an ambitious agenda for the Working Group.

Singh explained that the original five interrelated priorities have now grown to six, after separating climate change and air quality into distinct focus areas.

“This will provide us with an opportunity to delve into these two key issues more deeply and systematically.”

Key priorities

During the five-day meeting, delegates from G20 member countries will focus on several key priorities. These include biodiversity and conservation; land degradation, desertification, and drought; chemicals and waste management; air quality; oceans and coasts; and climate change, with a strong emphasis on Just Transitions. Singh explained that Just Transition covers areas such as energy transition, adaptation, resilience, and addressing loss and damage.

“This priority also includes a sub-priority on mitigation within the context of low-carbon economic development and other co-benefits beyond the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” 

Singh stated that the G20 process offers a chance to discuss and agree on actions that can expedite climate action and support at the necessary scale, as highlighted in the results of the first global stocktake.

Leverage opportunities

As a primary outcome of South Africa’s G20 Presidency this year, the country will explore ways that the G20 can leverage opportunities to increase the scale and flows of climate finance. 

“It is paramount for developing economy countries to be actively supported in their efforts to achieve ‘whole of society and whole of economy’ Just Transitions to sustainable development on the ground, through scaled access to low-cost finance, technology, capacity development, and skills transfer,” the Deputy Minister said.

Singh believes that the blue economy approach can make a significant contribution to the livelihood of coastal communities around the globe, as well as addressing climate change. 

“It’s sustainable, long-term development should be promoted and enhanced through collective action at the level of the G20. 

“It is also recognised that plastic pollution poses a significant threat to coastal and marine environments, affecting marine life, human health, and livelihoods, which needs to be addressed in an integrated and coordinated manner.” 

Singh announced that the final meetings of the Working Group and Ministerial sessions will be held from 13-15 October in Cape Town. 

During these meetings, the final versions of the technical papers and the draft of the Ministerial Declaration will be discussed.

This will be followed by the G20 ECSWG Ministerial meeting scheduled for 16-17 October in Cape Town, where the Ministerial Declaration and other deliverables of the Working Group will be presented.