Lula Urges G20 to Accelerate Climate Goals

At the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged world leaders to accelerate their climate targets, proposing a shift to net zero emissions by 2040 or 2045, instead of the previously set 2050 deadline. Lula highlighted the urgency of action in light of the current climate crisis, which has seen an increase in severe weather events. He emphasized the importance of increasing climate finance substantially, calling for investments to rise from billions to trillions of dollars to support developing nations in their climate efforts. U.S. President Joe Biden echoed the need for financial resources for developing countries, framing climate change as the greatest existential threat to humanity. Lula also warned that the ongoing COP29 talks in Baku must not defer critical decisions to the next climate conference in Brazil. He reiterated Brazil's commitment to ending illegal deforestation by 2030 and called for the establishment of a UN Climate Change Council to improve coordination among global climate efforts.