Ubuntu on the global stage: G20 Summit charts a just climate future

The curtain has fallen, and despite all voices and mixed echoes of what was possible through our G20 Presidency, South Africa has delivered a resoundingly successful G20, and a promising outcome.

For the first time ever, the world’s most powerful economies convened on African soil at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg last weekend. This gathering was more than a diplomatic milestone, it was a celebration of Ubuntu, which teaches that our humanity is bound together.

The Summit’s declaration states that “…individual nations cannot thrive in isolation….” I am because we are, this principle of Ubuntu set the tone, reminding leaders that global challenges like climate change demand unity and solidarity. President CyrilRamaphosa underscored this ethos at the historic Summit, affirming our common humanity and the value of partnership and cooperation in solving shared problems.

Despite the geopolitical difficulties, and a multiple combination onslaught on multilateralism, the Summit was a proud moment for South Africa and the Global South, marking a new era where African voices and values of partnership, community, leaving no one behind took centre stage on the global platform.

Hosting the G20 in Africa sent a powerful signal: those most affected by climate change are leading the conversation on solutions. The Summit’s theme of Ubuntu reminded every nation that no country can tackle climate change alone. This spirit of togetherness and justice framed discussions and shaped bold commitments that chart a more equitable climate future for all.

The recommitment of the world leaders to multilateralism is most welcomed.

Bold Climate Commitments Charting a Just Future

Crucially, the Johannesburg Summit emphasised that climate action must go hand-in-hand with justice and inclusivity. The G20 recognised national just transition pathways as key enablers of climate action, adopting a whole-of-economy and whole-of-society approach to cut emissions while eradicating poverty and fostering opportunity. In other words, the shift toa low carbon future should not leave workers or communities behind. It should create jobs, support development, and uplift the vulnerable.

South Africa’s G20 Presidency stressed the importance of helping developing countries not just to mitigate emissions but also to adapt to climate impacts, build resilience, and address loss and damage from climate disasters. Taken together, these commitments could chart a path towards a just climate future.

South Africa’s Leadership on Equity and Climate Finance

Our Presidency had a strong message of equity and climate justice for the Global South. Under President Ramaphosa’s leadership, the G20’s final declaration prominently reflected the principle of fairness in climate efforts. This affirms equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in tackling climate change. In practice, this means that while all countries must act, wealthy nations acknowledge their greater responsibility and capacity to lead, and pledge support for developing nations.

It is a reaffirmation that those with historical emissions and resources should do more, while emerging economies are given the space and assistance to transition sustainably, ensuring the burden of climate action is shared fairly.The most important outcomes were in climate finance. G20 leaders recognised the glaring gap between current funding and what’s needed to meet climate goals.

There was a call for increased global investments and a scale-up of climate finance. In fact, leaders noted developing countries may require trillions by 2030 to fulfil their nationally determined contributions. There were also pledges to boost climate finance to developing economies, including through reforming multilateral development banks, and unlocking private capital for green growth. There was also a strong focus on supporting country-led platforms to support just transitions.

From Pledges to Action: An Ubuntu Call to All

Our Summit may be over, but its true test begins now: turning commitments into action. This will not be an easy feat since the declaration is not binding on the G20 countries. Firstly, for successful implementation it is important that the declaration is treated like a workplan, not a press release. Countries must turn these commitments into time bound action plans, anchor commitments into budget and expenditure plans, and deliver on pledges with transparent tracking.

Implementation goes beyond the G20 countries, as every sector of society has a role to play. Not only must financers and investors scale up fair, equitable, accessible, and low-cost climate finance for developing countries, but we also require a new climate finance architecture that places people at the centre.

Development cooperation, government policies, corporate actions, the laws passed by legislators, and the investment decisions we take must translate the G20 promises into national actions and a new global movement for growth, sustainable development, and equity. Like we did in Johannesburg, our national efforts must be aimed at hammering new blows to the scourge of underdevelopment, our dialogue must open up to the most marginalised.

Zimasa Vazi is the Senior Manager: Stakeholder Engagements at the PresidentialClimate Commission.

*** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL.

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