Can G20 South Africa shift the global climate action agenda?

As arguably the most powerful minilateral, the G20 should be pursued as a primary platform for Africa’s climate ambition.

The 2025 G20 Summit is the first held in Africa. Hosted by South Africa, it is the fourth consecutive Global South G20 presidency, taking place alongside Brazil’s hosting of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30). Could this combination of a minilateral (G20) and multilateral (COP30) hosted by global south countries re-energise the climate action agenda and unlock climate finance for Africa and the developing world?

About the authors

Dhesigen Naidoo is Senior Research Associate in the Climate Risk and Human Security project at the Institute for Security Studies.

Manisha Gulati is an Independent Adviser on a portfolio of themes around climate change and sustainable development, and supports the Climate Risk and Human Security project at the ISS.