UN Climate Change Chief calls on G20 leaders to prioritize climate action at Rio Summit

By Akbar Novruz

Issued at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, delivered a powerful message to G20 leaders ahead of their upcoming summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Stiell urged leaders of the world’s largest economies to place climate action at the forefront of their agenda, warning that the global climate crisis poses a direct threat to every G20 nation.

“The G20 was created to tackle problems that no one country, or group of countries, can tackle alone. On that basis, the global climate crisis should be order of business Number One in Rio next week,” Stiell stated.

He highlighted the devastating effects of climate change already being felt across G20 economies, from disrupted supply chains to rising inflation, stressing that bold action is essential for economic survival.

Stiell also pointed to a positive trend, noting that this year, USD 2 trillion will flow to clean energy and infrastructure, surpassing investments in fossil fuels. He emphasized the opportunity for G20 nations to lead the clean energy transition and unlock benefits such as stronger growth, more jobs, and secure energy.

The Executive Secretary outlined critical areas for progress at the G20 Summit:

• Increased Climate Finance: More grant and concessional funding to support global climate resilience.

• Reforming Multilateral Development Banks: Prioritizing institutional reforms to drive effective climate investments.

• Debt Relief for Vulnerable Nations: Addressing debt servicing costs to enable bold climate actions in developing countries.

“In turbulent times and a fracturing world, G20 Leaders must signal loud and clear that international cooperation is still the best and only chance humanity has to survive global heating. There is no other way,” Stiell concluded.

As negotiations continue at COP29 in Baku, the global community will be watching closely for decisive action from the G20 to reinforce international climate cooperati