G20 fails to reach pact on fossil fuels

The Group of Twenty energy ministers meeting in India ended without a consensus on the phase-down of fossil fuels, adding to the sluggish progress on climate diplomacy ahead of key meetings this year.

While some countries agreed on the need to phase down unabated use of oil and gas, others argued that concerns over emissions could be addressed by carbon removal technologies.

"A couple of countries from the Middle East felt that emission concerns could be addressed by technologies like carbon capture, use and sequestration or other abatement technologies," Raj Kumar Singh, India's power minister, said. "Both pathways are fine."

"By and large, all members were on the same page on the need to tackle climate change," Singh added.