The G20 nations couldn’t agree on the only climate goal that really matters

Environment ministers from the G20 nations met on July 23 in Italy, and although they don’t have a better plan for confronting the climate crisis, we all have a clearer view of the deep geopolitical fissures standing in the way of that goal. The idea of a deadline to phase out coal—after which rich countries would no longer burn coal in power plants or factories, or finance the construction of new coal plants overseas—has been raised repeatedly this year in previous multilateral meetings, including the G7 in June. At last week’s G20 environment ministers meeting, the topic was the subject of “a prolonged and tireless discussion,” according to a statement from the group’s presidency, currently held by Italy.