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By Sharon Kimathi, Energy and ESG Editor, Reuters Digital

Hello!

It’s yet another blow for phasing fossil fuels and climate finance discussions this week as the Group of 20 (G20) major economies meeting in India failed to reach consensus on the two issues as we edge closer to this year’s COP28 United Nations’ Summit.

Scientists and campaigners are exasperated by international bodies’ foot-dragging on action to curb global warming even as extreme weather from China to the United States underlines the climate crisis facing the world.

The G20 member countries together account for over three-quarters of global emissions and gross domestic product, and a cumulative effort by the group to decarbonize is crucial in the global fight against climate change.

Delegates ride in a buggy at G20 finance officials meeting venue near Bengaluru, India, February 22, 2023. REUTERS/Samuel Rajkumar

However, disagreements including the intended tripling of renewable energy capacities by 2030 resulted in officials issuing an outcome statement and a chair summary instead of a joint communique at the end of their four-day meeting in Bambolim, in the Indian coastal state of Goa.

Fossil fuel use became a lightning rod in day-long discussions, but officials failed to reach consensus over curbing “unabated” use and argued over the language to describe the pathway to cut emissions, two people familiar with the matter said.

Sections urging developed countries to deliver on the goal of jointly mobilizing $100 billion per year for climate action in developing economies from 2020-2025, and description of the war in Ukraine, also eluded consensus.

On the topic of climate finance to help poorer states cope with climate change, so far, countries have not delivered this money in the amounts promised. Analysts say some have paid more than their “fair share”. Other nations say they shouldn’t have to pay at all.

That analysis suggested only seven countries had  paid their “fair share” in 2020 – Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

The list of countries obliged to contribute dates back to U.N. climate talks in 1992.

It has not been expanded since. It lists 23 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The list also includes the European Economic Community – a precursor to the European Union. The EU, today the biggest contributor of climate finance, has lobbied to expand the pool of donor countries that provide it.

Those missing from the list include China, today the world’s second-biggest economy, and high wealth-per-capita countries such as the United Arab Emirates. Some countries want that to change.

Speaking of wealthy countries such as the UAE, an independent research group said the country, which will host this year’s COP28 climate summit, is far off track from delivering its targets to cut the CO2 emissions causing climate change.

In an analysis published last week, research consortium Climate Action Tracker (CAT) said the UAE would miss its climate targets by a large margin if it went ahead with plans to expand oil and gas production and use – and saw its CO2 emissions rise through to 2030, at odds with the sharp decrease needed to curb climate change.

Firefighters, volunteers and police officers operate as a wildfire burns near the village of Asklipieio, on the island of Rhodes, Greece, July 24, 2023. REUTERS/Nicolas Economou

Rohit Das, executive director at international specialist climate change investment and advisory firm, Pollination, shares his thoughts about the European heat wave:

“The tangible impact of the climate crisis is becoming increasingly clear as heat waves rip across the northern hemisphere. These record high temperatures are just another chapter in an environmental nightmare that has spanned from forest fires to flooding and droughts.

“The appearance of El Niño will also further increase weather variability across the globe as it strengthens throughout the next few months.

“While trillions have been committed to climate solutions and numerous pledges made, the images we’ve seen from across Europe alone this week are just another reminder of the urgency with which we need to focus these efforts. 

“This capital needs to be deployed at speed, with a laser focus, to ensure we aren’t talking about yet another record in 10 years’ time. And while climate change has been edging up corporate agendas in recent years, it needs to be on top, with responsibility taken for harm contributed thus far. 

“We must recognise that we are all jointly and severally liable in this crisis. The effects of inaction will filter into all business operations going forward, from balance sheets through to supply chains, so they must embrace proactive climate strategies, re-evaluate their climate exposure and take a leadership position on action.

“But speed should not come at the expense of fairness – the transition must remain just, and equitable in approach if we stand a chance of avoiding further, irreversible damage to our planet.”

Breakingviews: Some readers, especially those in the northern hemisphere, may be feeling “flight shame” this summer. How can they justify jetting on holiday when temperatures are soaring across Europe, America and China? I am acutely aware of this, working from home in Greece where forest fires have been raging.

Guilt is useful if it provokes action. In this case, the main solution is not for individuals to stop flying voluntarily. It is to transform the airline industry so that it doesn’t fry the planet. Aviation isn’t the planet’s biggest polluter. Nevertheless, aircraft are responsible for about 4% of global warming from carbon emissions and the vapor trails they leave behind in the sky. 

What’s more, the industry is growing fast. Without evasive action, it will contribute an even bigger portion of future increases in the global temperature.

Zookeeper Shinji Otsuru gives Elvis, the Galapagos giant tortoise, a shower at the Phoenix Zoo, Arizona, United States, July 21, 2023. REUTERS/Liliana Salgado

Ever wondered how animals are coping in the sweltering heat across the United States and in Poland? Well look no further as today’s spotlight shines a light on a zoo in Arizona, U.S. and a shelter in Warsaw that have come up with ways to keep animals cool in the heat.

On Day 22 of temperatures in Phoenix exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius), a Eurasian eagle owl enjoyed a prolonged shower, while monkeys and horses ate icy treats, some laced with Gatorade.

The Phoenix Zoo has come up with myriad ways to cool off animals in the historic record-breaking heat wave, including hose-downs, mister lines, cooling pads, ponds, mud water, fans and air-conditioned buildings.

Archie, the owl whose species is native to Europe and Asia, stood placidly under the shower of a sprinkler. Chutti, a one-horned rhinoceros, had his leathery hide and snout hosed down, as did Elvis, a Galapagos giant tortoise.

A dog cools down in a water pool after a walk on a hot day at the “Na Paluchu” animal shelter in Warsaw, Poland, July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Kuba Stezycki

Workers at a Polish shelter are taking special steps from air-conditioning to water holes to help their dogs cope with sweltering temperatures.

While Poland has not yet seen the record-breaking heat wreaking havoc from the United States to China, the weather still troubles dogs in the “Na Paluchu” shelter in Warsaw. “They just don’t want to do anything, just like us. It is too hot,” said Anna Skibicka, a volunteer at the shelter.

The shelter, which houses 650 dogs and 180 cats, has bought childrens’ sandpits and filled them with water to give the dogs a way to cool down. It has also hung up nets to provide shade and installed air conditioning.

“Wildfires this summer have also severely affected Canada and the United States. Some homeowners have been told their properties are no longer insurable and some insurers are pulling out of fire-prone areas altogether.”

Lucy Dyson, partner at international law firm RPC

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