The G20 is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union. It works to address major issues related to the global economy, such as international financial stability, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.
G20 must say goodbye to fossil fuel and recommit to Paris 1.5C goal
G20 countries are way off track on delivering on 1.5C. Acknowledging this would be a good start ahead of Cop26
The Glasgow Cop26 talks could fail before the conference even begins. This weekend, just as Cop26 starts, the G20 are meeting in Rome. This is a moment of maximum trepidation, as those 20 developed and emerging economies account for 78% of global greenhouse gas emissions. They meet outside the scrutiny and inclusivity of the UN process in Glasgow. What they agree to, or not, could affirm the Paris agreement goal of limiting global heating to 1.5C, or put it firmly out of reach for ever.
First, the bad news. The G20 communique is a consensus document, a minimum agreement. If one country says no, for example, to specifying a phase-out date for coal, it won’t be in the final communique, so a vaguer formulation may be used.
Second, the good news. Individual G20 countries are vulnerable to pressure on specific issues. If countries become isolated, they may agree to what initially appeared out of reach. Italy holds the G20 presidency and has partnered with the UK to host Cop26. This means Mario Draghi, Italy’s prime minister, will want to ink a G20 statement that gives the best chance of success in Glasgow.
A good G20 communique would include four elements: long-term goals on emissions consistent with 1.5C; systemic near-term measures to cut emissions; commitments on climate finance; and a clear acknowledgment that the G20 are way off track on delivering on 1.5C.
China, India and Brazil must set out their plans to cut emissions
As we get closer to the beginning of Cop26, I worry that the main goal – keeping temperature rises within 1.5C above pre-industrial levels – is slipping away.
The Covid-19 pandemic offered the opportunity for a global reset. We could rebuild in a way that was green and with lower greenhouse gas emissions.
We have not seen that occur and have squandered that opportunity. Going back to the beginning of 2019, we have had two years to reflect on the reset that we needed, but countries have not done so.
We are seeing some bad signs. China looking at burning more coal because of high energy prices is terrible.
China and many countries talk about historic responsibility for emissions. Developed countries, such as the US, the UK and other European countries, were burning fossil fuels at high levels for a long time, so most of the carbon that was in the atmosphere in 1992, when the UN framework convention on climate change was signed, came from them.
Joe Biden faces a more skeptical global audience at his first G20 as President
Rome (CNN)President Joe Biden will face a more skeptical global audience than his first day in Rome when he attends the Group of 20 Summit, which begins Saturday in the Italian capital after a day of presidential glad-handing with world leaders.Divisions within Biden’s own political party are threatening to derail his entire economic agenda back home, and Biden himself has acknowledged the credibility of the United States and the future of his presidency are on the line.
Despite urging lawmakers to give him a legislative win to tout on the world stage — especially the climate change measures that would give his presence at next week’s United Nations Climate Summit extra weight — Biden has shown up in the Eternal City without a done deal.
The G20 SUMMIT 2021
Added to that complication is the questions coming from some nations about Biden’s commitment to working cooperatively on global issues in the wake of the US’ chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.This weekend marks the first in-person G20 Summit since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, and world leaders are expected to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic, global supply chain problems, a global minimum tax rate, high energy prices and combating the climate crisis, among other topics.
The President will raise energy supply issues and throw his backing behind a global minimum tax in the first session of the G20 on Saturday in Rome, a senior administration official says. Those two issues are among the top agenda items for Biden at the conference of the world’s largest economies.
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Why Should You Travel More?
The Wisdom Segment – Travel
Packing for a roadtrip
When you hear the phrase road trip, what usually comes to mind is an adventure. Packing can be a challenge, though. But if you pack everything that you need for the trip, then you’re sure to have a wonderful time.IIIf you will be stopping over somewhere for an overnight, pack some clothes for sleeping and outfit for the next day, as well as some essentials, into a smaller bag. This way, you won’t have to carry your huge bag or dig into the bag for your stuff. Always wear comfortable clothes: something loose and made of cool material. Dark-colored clothes are recommended, as dirt will not be too obvious on them. You may bring a couple of extra bottoms, but prioritize tops and extra shirts more. A drawstring bag is a great storage for dirty clothes.
Day 1 of the 2021 G20 Summit
It’s the first in-person G20 summit in years. But not all invitees are in Rome
The G20 is underway.
Attendees are trickling into Rome’s convention center this morning, with the red carpet rolled out for world leaders amid strict Covid-19 protocols.
This summit is the leaders’ first face-to-face meeting in two years, after pandemic restrictions meant that everyone attended last year’s summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia via video-link.
But not all invitees are in attendance this year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador haven’t made the journey to Rome, citing Covid-19 issues at home.
Putin and Xi have said they’ll attend the meetings virtually. But their physical absence from the event will likely change the summit’s overall tone. Rather than being a meeting of big rivals, the event could be a lot less frosty.
UN secretary general calls on G20 leaders to deliver on climate commitments
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned Friday that the world is “careening towards climate catastrophe,” describing the G20 summit as an opportunity to “put things on track” as world leaders prepare to gather in Glasgow, Scotland for the COP26 climate conference.
“There is a serious risk that Glasgow will not deliver. Several recent climate announcements might leave the impression of a rosier picture. Unfortunately, this is an illusion. The current nationally determined contributions, formal commitments by governments, still condemn the world to a calamitous 2.7 degree increase,” Guterres said.
“I think we are still on time to put things on track, and I think this G20 meeting is the opportunity to do that,” he continued, adding that the summit is an opportunity for world leaders to ensure that the upcoming COP26 climate conference will have “the right results.”
Speaking during a news briefing in Rome on the eve of the G20 summit, Guterres also called on wealthy nations to uphold commitments to provide funding to help developing nations confront the climate crisis.
“Ambition on climate finance includes making good on the commitment to provide 100 billion US dollars each year to developing countries,” Guterres said.
“I welcome efforts led by Canada and Germany to help us get us there. It is a first step, but it delays the largest support for years without clear guarantees,” he added. 56 min ago
The first day of the G20 summit kicks off today. Here’s a look at some key events.
The G20 summit kicks off today in Rome, with climate change, the global economy and the Covid-19 pandemic high on the agenda for this weekend’s talks.
Here’s a look at today’s expected agenda:
- Leaders will begin arriving to La Nuvola, Rome’s convention center this morning.
- Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi will kick off the summit with an opening ceremony.
- Leaders will gather for a “family” photo around 11:40 a.m. local (6:40 a.m. ET). The first plenary session will begin shortly after.
- US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet to discuss resuming negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and about shared concerns on Iran’s nuclear program later this afternoon.
- An official dinner will close out the night.
While you can buy snacks on the way, it’s healthier and cheaper to bring food from your home. Pack small portions in zip lock bags and the rest in your bag. Prepare some games and music for the road. Smartphones and other gadgets are great, but it is more fun to enjoy a game together in the car while driving. Prepare upbeat songs that everyone can sing along to, and some mellow ones for relaxation. vest in a good GPS unit.
Don’t just rely on Google Maps and other location mobile apps. Bring some printed maps too, for back-up, in case your gadgets fail. Never forget a first aid kit, extra tires, and battery charger
Go already! You need to trust your instincts and just go. But to do this, you also need perspective. Pretty much everything in our world can be improved, and the solution is often on the other side: the second look, the upside-down view, the new perspective. You also need inspiration, change the scene, take a new route, go somewhere a bit further, shut off all your gadgets, and just look, listen, smell, and feel. You need to figure out the big picture, or at least give yourself the benefit of the wonder that you’ll experience when you do see the bigger picture.
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