Climate change and energy transitions

This chapter explores the suitability of the G20 to address the interrelated issues of climate change and energy transitions. It outlines the arguments in favour of the G20 taking a leadership role based on its membership and informal nature. In addition, it is argued, addressing these two issues underpins the G20’s traditional focus on economic and financial issues, and at the same time represents the expansion of its agenda and role. In contrast, the chapter also demonstrates how this has proved to be a controversial agenda item for some G20 members because of their national energy interests and preference for a UN-centred approach. As a result, the G20’s treatment of climate change and energy transitions has been mixed.