Energy ministers from the Group of 20 major economies on Saturday failed to issue a joint statement amid divisions over reducing fossil fuel consumption and Russia's war in Ukraine, which has disrupted global energy supplies.
The ministers met in the southwestern Indian city of Panaji to discuss balancing decarbonization and economic growth, but the gathering also revealed the rifts between developed and developing countries.
The Indian government released a chair's summary, underscoring that the world has been facing the issue of energy poverty for those without adequate access to it for daily life and that fossil fuels have played a crucial role in meeting growing energy demand.
But it also noted that several participating countries stressed the importance of efforts to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
While many developing countries have been battered by the effects of climate change, India, this year's host of G-20 meetings and a major voice of the developing world, had aimed to garner the support of developed nations and implement plans toward net zero emissions tailored to each country.
Most of G-20 members strongly condemned Russia's war in Ukraine during the meeting, but Russia and China opposed any reference to such criticism in a joint statement, according to the chair's summary.
Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura lamented the rifts among the member countries, but conceded, "We were able, to a significant degree, to share our firm position" of realizing economic growth alongside the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
