The Group of 20 will discuss phasing out fossil fuel subsidies at its meeting on Friday, in a move that will delight the low-carbon energy sector, which has long complained of the distorting effects of such assistance.

Barack Obama, president of the US, has asked Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesia’s president, to give a presentation to world leaders in Pittsburgh on how to reduce fuel subsidies while still targeting cash transfers to the poor.