G20 Climate Meet:
At the recent G20 Climate Meet, India urged the group of 20 nations (G20) having per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions above the global average to bring it down to the world average, thereby vacating ‘some’ carbon space for developing nations.
- This will support the developmental aspirations of the developing nations.
- Presently, Italy holds the G20 Presidency and the Climate Meet is being seen as a prelude to the UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP 26) meeting in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021.
India’s Stand:
- There is a need to cut absolute emissions rapidly while taking into account the Paris Agreement which emphasized on:
Respective historical responsibilities, - Delivery of promised climate finance and technologies at low cost keeping in perspective per capita emissions,
Differences in per capita GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and The unfinished agenda for sustainable development. - India noted the pledges made by some countries to achieve Net Zero GHG emissions or carbon Neutrality by or around mid century.
- However, this may not be adequate in view of fast depleting available carbon space.
- Keeping in view the legitimate need of developing countries to grow, it urged G20 countries to commit to bringing down per capita emissions to Global average by 2030.
- Carbon neutrality means having a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere in carbon sinks.
- Carbon space is the amount of carbon (or CO2) that can be put into the atmosphere without this leading to a level of warming—or underlying concentrations of CO2—that can be considered dangerous or otherwise undesirable.
- Stressed on Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) to combat climate change.
- Mentioned its plans of installing 450 GW (Giga Watt) of RE (Renewable Energy) by 2030, enhanced ambitions in bio-fuels, India’s NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) and various other initiatives taken by India on Urban Climate Action.
