Brazil urges G-20 leaders to move faster on net-zero climate targets

President Lula wants nations to reach goal by 2040 or 2045, instead of 2050 as many have pledged

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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Nov 19 urged leaders of the Group of 20 (G-20) major economies to accelerate their national climate targets, calling on them to reach net-zero climate emissions five to 10 years ahead of schedule.

Opening the last session of the G-20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Mr Lula suggested countries bring forward their targets to reach climate neutrality by 2040 or 2045, instead of 2050 as Brazil and many others have pledged.

"We have to do more and better," he said, noting that 2024 is likely the world's warmest year on record as climate disasters such as flooding and droughts become more frequent and intense.

"There is no time to lose," he added.

World leaders are trying to shore up a global response to climate change before Donald Trump retakes the US presidency in January, when he plans to roll back US policy on global warming and reportedly exit the landmark Paris Agreement.

Argentinian President Javier Milei served as a reminder in Rio of those changing winds, fresh off of visiting Trump at his Florida resort. Mr Milei told G-20 leaders he objected to a joint communique promoting gender equality, taxation of billionaires and sustainable development, according to people in the meeting.