G-20 leaders wrangle over climate, economy, vaccines

ROME — Leaders of the world's major economies met Saturday at the G-20 summit in Rome, heading for a new deal on global taxation but still haggling on the pressing issue of climate change.

In their first in-person gathering for two years, the G-20 leaders expressed "broad and cross-party support" for a 15 per cent minimum tax rate for the biggest multinationals, according to a source close to negotiations.

The reform plan, which seeks to end the practice of big corporates such as Apple and Google parent Alphabet of sheltering profits in low-tax countries, has been backed by almost 140 countries and is expected to be formally approved in the G-20 communique on Sunday.

But no consensus had yet emerged on a collective commitment on climate change, on the eve of the crucial COP26 conference starting in Glasgow on Sunday.

Hosts Italy want the G-20 to collectively endorse the UN goal of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels, one of the aspirations of the landmark 2015 Paris climate accords.

But G-20 members, many at different stages of economic development, remain at odds over the other major goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

"We have a moment now when we can try and take some of the nebulous commitments in Paris, solidify them into hard, fast, commitments to cut emissions, to cut cars and coal and so on," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who will host the Glasgow talks.

Crucial hours 

European Council President Charles Michel said the "next hours" would be crucial, adding: "I understand for some countries dependent on coal it is difficult to accept."

The stakes are high, as the G-20 — including China, the US, India, the EU and Russia — accounts for 80 per cent of global GDP and nearly 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned leaders Friday to show "more ambition and more action" and overcome mistrust in order to advance climate goals.

As the leaders huddled, hundreds of climate protesters gathered in the city centre to demand tougher action.

"We're asking G-20 leaders to stop playing games among themselves and finally listen to the people and act for the climate, as science has been asking for years," Fridays for Future activist Simone Ficicchia told AFP.

Another key topic of discussions is the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with both Xi and Putin raising the issue of the uneven distribution of vaccines in their comments to the group via video link.

Putin blamed disparities on "dishonest competition, protectionism and because some states, especially those of the G-20, are not ready for mutual recognition of vaccines and vaccination certificates", in his speech broadcast on Russian state television.

Get them vaccinated 

No new pledges are expected to address the vast gap in COVID-19 vaccine access between rich and poor countries.

But summit host Mario Draghi, the Italian prime minister, said the G-20 should "do all we can" to meet a WHO goal of vaccinating 70 per cent of the global population by mid-2022.

According to a source who followed the summit discussions, "all the leaders" agreed to commit to that target.

The meeting was the opportunity for a flurry of bilaterals between G-20 leaders, notably Biden, who is hoping to reassert US leadership following the tumultuous Trump years.

He met with Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel for talks on Iran, after Tehran said it would resume discussions with world powers next month on reviving the 2015 nuclear accord.

On Friday, Biden met Pope Francis and had a one-on-one with Macron where he admitted that Washington had been "clumsy" in its handling of a submarine deal with Australia and Britain that left Paris out in the cold.

Yet, the Democrat faces a credibility test as his signature climate policy — part of a sweeping economic package — is held up amid infighting within his party in Congress.