From pledges to practice: G20 urged to deliver on climate promises

South Africa's Environment Minister Dion George opened the final G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability ministerial meeting in Cape Town, stressing that success under its presidency hinges on sustained partnerships and tangible outcomes like job-creating projects, emission reductions, and ecosystem restoration rather than mere documents. G20 delegations reaffirmed commitment to the Paris Agreement on its 10th anniversary, with officials from the EU, UK, Brazil, China, and Russia highlighting progress in renewables, reforestation, and electric vehicles, noting improved warming projections from 4°C to 2.6°C if nations meet targets, amid calls for multilateral collaboration ahead of COP30. The meeting seeks a Cape Town declaration to bolster these pledges, serving as a moral compass for global climate action.