ActionAid Reacts to the Conclusion of the G20 Summit

Neil Watkins, Director of Policy and Campaigns at ActionAid USA, said:

On the final G20 summit outcome“With food prices swinging wildly and the planet burning, this was the moment for bold proposals from the G20. Instead, on food security and climate change, the G20 turned in last year’s homework, content to reaffirm old plans and commission more studies.”

On food security, food price volatility, and biofuels“The G20 put their heads in the sand and failed to address the key drivers of food price volatility. Despite the important role played by biofuels production in contributing to food price swings, the word ‘biofuels’ doesn’t even appear in the final communiqué. The G20 ignored the growing consensus – including from the Business 20 – urging them to stop converting food for fuel.”

On climate change“On climate, G20 leaders opted for more studies on how to finance the Green Climate Fund. These will be cold comfort to farmers living in poverty who are already facing the ravaging impacts of increased floods, droughts, and heat waves due to climate change.

“Viable options for financing the GCF already exist, including international shipping and aviation levies and financial transaction taxes. The longer we ‘study’ global action on climate change rather than acting decisively on one or more of these proposals, the more deadly and expensive it will become in the future.”

Luca de Fraia, Deputy Secretary General of ActionAid Italy said:

“On development, the G20 has fallen far short as compared to last year’s summit. In Los Cabos, leaders avoided mentioning aid commitments and new financing tools to achieve poverty reduction goals.

“Taxation of the financial sectors, including the FTT, was acknowledged last year but there is no mention at this summit. In leaving these issues out, the G20 is ignoring the fact that the path to development is made up of several components -- including new resources to eradicate poverty and inequality. If the G20 wants to lead on development, it should take its fair share of responsibilities for financing it."