UN Climate Chief Asks G20 Leaders For Funding Boost

The UN’s climate chief has urged leaders of the world’s largest economies to signal support for global climate finance efforts when they meet in Rio de Janeiro next week.

Stiell urged G20 nations to support increased grants and loans, as well as debt relief, to ensure vulnerable countries are not burdened by debt that impedes bold climate action. I Photo: Simon Stiell X

This call aims to advance progress at the COP29 talks, reported Kate Abnett and Valerie Volcovici for Reuters.

In a letter to G20 leaders, Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), emphasized the need for clear global commitments.

Negotiators at the COP29 conference in Baku are struggling to reach a deal to scale up funding to address the worsening impacts of global warming.

Stiell urged G20 nations to support increased grants and loans, as well as debt relief, to ensure vulnerable countries are not burdened by debt that impedes bold climate action.

Business leaders echoed Stiell’s concerns, highlighting the lack of progress in Baku.

Words

In a joint letter, groups including the We Mean Business Coalition, United Nations Global Compact, and the Brazilian Council for Sustainable Development urged governments to deliver policies that accelerate the shift from fossil fuels to clean energy.

“We call on the G20 to meet the moment and unlock the private sector investment essential for a sustainable future,” the letter stated.

Brazilian climate official Ana Toni expressed hope for “a very strong signal on climate” from the G20 meeting, emphasizing its importance to the success of the Baku talks.