The G20 brings together major producers, consumers and emerging economies — an advantage that single-focus energy bodies cannot match — to discuss low-carbon transition
In recent years, energy security has remained a pressing global issue, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and logistical challenges. The tension between the United States and Iran, alongside disruptions in energy supply through the Strait of Hormuz, continues to affect global energy markets. Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, was among the first regions to experience fuel shortages and inflation pressures, declaring an energy emergency in March due to depleted reserves. In Europe, the energy crisis is equally severe, with diesel prices in the European Union rising by 8.3 percent month-on-month as of August, and a staggering increase of 23.8 percent year-on-year. This escalation in energy costs prompted EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen to urge member states to bolster gas reserves and consider demand reduction measures, such as halting outdoor heating.
Against this backdrop, the 2026 G20 Summit, scheduled to take place in Miami, the US, in December, cannot sidestep the issue of energy security. Historically linked to oil and gas reserves, energy security now increasingly encompasses a diversified, decentralized, and autonomous energy system, with renewable energy playing a crucial role. According to the International Energy Agency's Global Energy Review 2026, global energy demand growth slowed to 1.3 percent in 2025, while electricity demand grew by approximately 3 percent.
Solar photovoltaics emerged as the leading source of energy supply growth, accounting for over 25 percent of the increase. This shift signifies a transition from supplementary to primary roles in energy security, with carbon dioxide emissions growth slowing to 0.4 percent, and clean energy technologies reducing emissions by about 3 billion tons annually.
As the premier forum for international economic cooperation, the G20's agenda is deeply intertwined with energy issues. Existing international energy governance structures, such as the International Energy Agency and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, do not encompass all stakeholders. The G20, however, provides a unique platform for producers, consumers and emerging economies, representing a significant portion of global energy consumption and emissions. Thus, the success of energy governance largely hinges on G20 consensus.
Under the US presidency of the 2026 G20, "energy abundance" has been the core narrative of the G20 energy agenda, emphasizing increased oil and gas production, relaxed environmental regulations, and the promotion of nuclear and innovative technologies. The G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Meeting, held in Houston in September, resulted in three key outcome documents, including the G20 Energy Ministers' Statement on Advancing Clean Cooking Access, the G20 Water Reuse Initiative and the G20 Energy Abundance Working Group's Critical Minerals Communique. However, consensus on critical minerals and the energy trade remained elusive. The US also highlighted the rapid replacement of traditional biomass with liquefied petroleum gas where supply is reliable and scalable, a stance criticized by climate and environmental advocates for its potential to entrench fossil fuel subsidies.
Energy issues are closely linked to financial, development and climate agendas. Since the 2009 Pittsburgh Summit, energy security has been associated with climate change. The G20 leaders' statement in 2009 highlighted the inefficiency of fossil fuel subsidies, which promote wasteful consumption, undermine energy security and hinder clean energy investment. This marked the beginning of the G20's commitment to clean energy. Subsequent summits, such as the 2014 Brisbane Summit, established the G20 Principles on Energy Collaboration, covering energy access, efficiency, renewable energy, market transparency and fossil fuel subsidy reform. The 2015 Antalya Summit integrated climate issues into the energy agenda, with the first G20 Energy Ministers' Meeting linking climate change to energy access, security and subsidies.
By 2025, the Johannesburg Summit merged energy and climate agendas, advocating a doubling of global renewable energy capacity and a doubling of energy efficiency improvement rates over the next decade. These efforts aligned with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and COP30 decisions, emphasizing a just energy transition. Despite the lack of a unified road map to phase out fossil fuels, climate change and just transition have become integral to the energy agenda.
Achieving optimal energy security, affordability and environmental sustainability simultaneously remains challenging, often requiring trade-offs. Coal is economical and stable but not clean; renewables such as solar and wind are clean and increasingly cost-effective, but the supply is intermittent; and reliance on imported oil and gas can elevate costs and geopolitical risks. The current energy crisis underscores the enduring relevance of the "energy trilemma" in global energy governance.
The US narrative at the 2026 G20 reflects a focus on supply-side security through domestic production and export, with an emphasis on the economic and availability aspects of natural gas. In contrast, the EU and other zero-carbon transition supporters view reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets as an inherent vulnerability, advocating electrification, renewable energy and diversified supply as security measures. Some Eurasian countries, seeking supply chain diversification amid the "America First" policy, have become buyers of US liquefied natural gas, highlighting a fragmented landscape that complicates resolving the energy trilemma.
As a policy coordination platform, the G20 uniquely brings together major producers, consumers, and emerging economies to discuss energy security, access, and the low-carbon transition — advantages unmatched by single-focus energy organizations. The 2026 G20 Leaders' Summit could strengthen its role in promoting the low-carbon energy transitions: Without clean energy and resilience, true energy security and affordability are unattainable.
First, continuing the review of market-distorting fossil fuel subsidies through financial channels. This mechanism, operational since the 2009 Pittsburgh Summit, can further drive the energy transition toward decarbonization.
Second, promoting climate adaptation through resilient supply chains. The US presidency's "secure and resilient supply chains" narrative inherently supports climate adaptation agendas. The G20 Energy Abundance Working Group's Critical Minerals Communique proposes a framework for voluntary information sharing, recycling and investment cooperation. Future initiatives could embed life cycle carbon standards, diversified procurement, and environmental, social and governance due diligence in the minerals supply chain working group to prevent "securitization" from devolving into low-standard capacity races. Additionally, financial channels could encourage G20 commitments to incorporate climate resilience into energy project loan screening standards within multilateral development banks.
The author is an associate researcher of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.
