Each year, the G20 Summit gathers Heads of State and governments of member countries to discuss economic issues in the wake of the climate crisis, being the culmination of more than a hundred G20 meetings over the course of a year. This year, the summit will take place in Rio de Janeiro on 18–19 November 2024.

As the current holder of the G20 presidency, Brazil has extended an invitation to Denmark, urging active participation in negotiations concerning the environment, climate, and energy transition at the upcoming G20 Summit. In addition to this, Denmark is invited to join a newly established G20 task force. The primary objective of this task force is to secure funding for climate action and to assist other countries in developing and implementing ambitious plans for a green transition.

“The fact that we sit among the world’s heavyweights and can influence the agenda in a greener direction is a unique opportunity. The G20 countries account for 80% of global emissions, and if we can get them to commit to more ambitious climate goals, it will have a decisive impact on the climate,” says Dan Jørgensen, Denmark’s Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy.

“Building a just world and a sustainable planet”

Having been invited by India to engage in green working groups during its G20 presidency last year, this is the second time Denmark is participating in the G20 working groups. Brazil assumed the G20 presidency from India on December 1 last year, with the motto “Building a just world and a sustainable planet”.

The purpose of the working groups is to formulate recommendations to be discussed at the G20 summit in Rio De Janeiro this November. In this context, Denmark’s goal is to advance ambitions within energy, climate, and the environmental agenda in the final declaration at the summit, with a particular focus on COP29, where climate finance is at the centre, and COP30, which is likewise scheduled to be hosted in Brazil.

“At COP28, we reached a historic agreement to move away from fossil fuels. Now we need to translate this agreement into concrete action. Although we are a small country, our solutions and experience in the green transition can make a difference – especially among the world’s largest emitters in the G20,” says Dan Jørgensen, the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy.

The countries and governmental entities participating in this year’s G20 summit are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the U.K. and the U.S., as well as the European Union and the African Union. In addition to this, this year’s guest countries are: Angola, Egypt, The United Arab Emirates, Spain, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, and Singapore.

Learn more about the summit at G20’s official website.