Achieving a just energy transition in the G20

G20 countries not only account for a significant share of global population, but also contribute massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. They must, therefore, take concrete actions to phase out fossil fuels from their economies. However, such an energy transition needs to be just. The imperatives are: to tackle the dominance of fossil fuel-dependent regimes, diversify economies, provide transition finance, and improve international coordination.

This policy brief makes three recommendations for the G20: improve governance to shift energy regimes towards a low-carbon pathway; pursue strategies to diversify economies, using an appropriate mechanism for transition finance; and coordinate and synchronise global efforts on just energy transitions.