At G20 climate talks, divisions resurface

Commitments on reigning in greenhouses gas emissions by 2025 and setting a global warming target of under 1.5°C are two of the thorniest issues holding up chances of a consensus within Group of 20 (G20) members, people aware of discussions between the nations said on Thursday, hours before a muchawaited joint statement was expected at Chennai.

- Jayashree Nandi

Among the holdouts, the people said, were countries such as Saudi Arabia that strongly oppose on peaking emissions being part of the communique, or joint statement, expected following the meeting of the G20 environment and climate ministers underway at Chennai. "Most of the brackets are around the issue of peaking. Naturally that clouds the entire mitigation issue," said an official who is attending the meeting, asking not to be named.

"What has already not been agreed on in the energy track in Goa cannot be agreed on here. The 1.5 degree will be cushioned. There are disagreements on that. Everyone is holding their positions on emissions, climate finance etc. We are trying to be as inclusive as possible. We are also trying other means like making them sign on blue economy principles which is also a climate issue with sea level rise and ocean acidification," added another official.