Russia, China, and the G7’s Dilemmas: Global Perspectives on the Summit
Japan hosted the Group of Seven (G7) leaders summit in Hiroshima on May 19 through 21. Leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including Chinese economic coercion, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, nuclear nonproliferation, AI governance, and sustainable development. The G7 stepped up its efforts to be more inclusive of the Global South’s diverse views—inviting leaders from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific—but the five experts writing for this Council of Councils global perspective series diverge on how effective this approach will be. As everyone talks about the Global South and its political importance, it remains to be seen whether the G7 did enough. Judging by the list of invitees to this summit, the Japanese presidency merits credit for being more inclusive. Leaders from India, Indonesia, Brazil, the Comoros, the Cook Islands, South Korea, and Vietnam took a seat at the table for several G7 “outreach sessions.” But to say their presence had much effect on G7 leaders’ priorities would be an overstatement. Judging by the two main outcomes of the summit—a pledge to continue military and economic support for Ukraine and a declaration to take a firm stand against China’s use of its economic power to bully smaller economies—the concerns of countries outside the G7 took a back seat.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.