Powering an Inclusive Energy Future: Driving the G20 from Commitment to Implementation

Summary

As the world accelerates toward a clean energy future, the question is no longer whether the transition will happen, but how equitable, inclusive, and sustainable it will be. Under Brazil’s 2024 presidency, the G20 endorsed a set of ‘Principles for Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions’, recognising that the shift to renewable energy must do more than reduce carbon emissions; it must also address deep-rooted inequalities and ensure that historically marginalised groups, particularly women and youth, are active participants and beneficiaries.

Yet turning principles into practice remains a critical challenge. Many G20 countries face a common set of barriers: unequal access to clean energy opportunities, persistent gender and generational divides in employment, and financing systems that exclude micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) led by women and youth. Addressing these gaps requires not only national action but also collective leadership.