G20 Outcomes & Climate Action.

The 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg marked a historic milestone as the first G20 summit ever held on African soil, underscoring Africa’s growing role in shaping global economic and climate governance.  It concluded with a consensus declaration from the countries present at the Summit. This Leaders’ Declaration seeks to advance global climate action amid significant geopolitical and economic pressures. Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” South Africa’s Presidency reaffirmed multilateral commitment to climate action, equity, and a just transition, closely aligning G20 outcomes with the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, and COP30 decisions.

In this briefing, LeadIT’s Global Policy Lead Mahendra Shunmoogam highlights the key takeaways from South Africa’s presidency of the G20. Before joining LeadIT, Mahendra was a G20 negotiator as part of the Trade and Investment Working Group.

Executive summary

G20 leaders reiterated their commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement and achieving global net-zero emissions, while at the same time recognising nationally determined pathways and differing national circumstances. The Leaders’ Declaration strongly emphasises the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, reflecting the priorities of emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).

A major outcome was progress on climate finance and debt reform, including endorsement of voluntary debt-for-climate and debt-for-development swaps and expanded use of climate-resilient debt clauses. These measures aim to help climate-vulnerable countries manage climate-related shocks without increasing the burden of debt. In this respect the G20 outcomes closely reinforce COP30’s Belém Package, including calls to scale climate finance and reform multilateral development banks.

The declaration also places a strong emphasis on a just energy transition, reaffirming commitments to tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling global energy efficiency improvements by 2050. Leaders underscored the need for inclusive, technology-neutral approaches, affordable finance, and de-risked investment, particularly for EMDEs.

The G20 also addressed the trade–climate nexus, committing to avoid climate measures that act as disguised trade restrictions, while promoting equitable access to climate technologies. Adoption of Voluntary High-Level Principles on Sustainable Industrial Policy underscores the role of industry in decarbonisation, job creation, and inclusive growth, with Africa’s transition and development needs placed firmly at the centre.

The key challenge ahead lies in implementation – mobilising finance, translating commitments into policy, and ensuring that just transition principles deliver tangible outcomes. The Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) will continue supporting these efforts by advancing industrial decarbonization through global collaboration.