Date: 14/11/2022

Relevance: GS-3: Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.

Key Phrases: G20 country, greenhouse gas emissions, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, vulnerable, global warming, Adaptation Gap Report.

Context:

• As a voice for the developing world and as the only G20 country that is on track to achieve its climate targets, India is poised to become a global climate leader.

Key Highlights:

• As the world congregates at the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt to reassess and reiterate actions urgently required to limit global warming and adapt to its consequences, the recently released United Nations Environment Programme’s Adaptation Gap Report 2022 presents a disturbing picture.
• It projects that the impacts of climate change are set to increase in frequency and intensity in the coming years even if the world begins to bring down greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
• Developing countries of the Global South are most vulnerable to these disproportionate impacts of climate change, despite having contributed the least to global carbon emissions.
• According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, ‘Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability,’ currently around 3.6 billion world’s population live in highly vulnerable climate contexts.
• The majority of this population is concentrated in developing countries of the Global South.
• The lack of capacity, equity, and adequate resources coupled with already existing development challenges constrain the ability of these countries to mitigate or adapt to uncertain climate risks.
• In the absence of stronger efforts, this scenario is set to worsen even further, with vulnerable communities of the developing nations continuing to be on the frontline of the crisis.
• Developing countries of the Global South are most vulnerable to these disproportionate impacts of climate change, despite having contributed the least to global carbon emissions.
• Limiting global warming to 1.5°C would mean global emissions must halve by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. However, the world’s current climate pledges are far off track to limit climate change to the agreed levels.
• The world powers have clearly failed to provide effective climate leadership.

India : An emerging climate Leader

• Displayed immense credentials: India has displayed immense credentials, commitment, and leadership potential by taking affirmative action in mitigating as well as adapting to climate change.
• On track to achieve its climate targets: India is the only G20 country that is on track to achieve its climate targets.
• Nationally Determined Contribution: In its recently updated Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), India has committed to reducing emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030, from 2005 level and achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
• LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): Prime Minister recently launched LiFE “Lifestyle for Environment” mission.
• International Solar Alliance: India is leading the International Solar Alliance as well as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, it stands as a shining example of how stronger climate actions could be successfully aligned with development imperatives.

How can India use its influence to push for an equitable and inclusive framework at COP27?

1. Full implementation of the UNFCCC’s principle: While pushing for ‘fair negotiations’ at COP27, India must emphasise the full implementation of the UNFCCC’s principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR–RC).
2. Accord Adequate Time: India must stand firm in its demand that developing countries must be accorded adequate time, financial, and technological assistance and policy space to transit to a low-carbon future.
3. Signatories should voluntarily define their own NDCs: The signatories to the Paris Agreement are required to voluntarily define their own NDCs or emission reduction targets, assess their performances, and prepare future climate commitments.
4. Engage with the issues constructively: while the adoption of ‘Loss and Damage’ (L&D) as an agenda item at COP27 is a welcome development for vulnerable countries, India must ensure that negotiations engage with the issue constructively and dedicated the urgent focus it deserves.
5. Intensifying commitment to finance: India should ramp up pressure on the developed countries for intensifying commitment to finance and extend technology transfer.
   • This would help in assisting developing countries build their resilience and adapt to climate change and resulting disasters.
   • As a voice for the developing world, India should push the developed, wealthy nations to step up their efforts on climate action.

Way Forward:

• To confront adaptation challenges, the international community must ensure that high-vulnerable populations have the finance, technology, strengthened capacity and institutional resources required to adapt.
• India must demand that COP27 lays out a detailed set of guidelines on the mobilisation of climate finance for adaptation, its sources, followed by a thorough governance and accountability framework that can guide its effective implementation.

Conclusion:

• The world would be keenly following India’s leadership role in climate action at COP27 and G20.
• It must convince the developed world that their inaction or failure to support developing countries adapt to worsening climate impact today will influence the scale of devastation tomorrow.
• Hence it will require more radical efforts, including increased finance to address the climate crisis in the near future.
• The world won’t be able to afford any further delay in implementing an ambitious climate action. This COP27 must be ‘COP for Action’.

Source: ORF-Online

Mains Question:

Q. How can India use its influence to push for an equitable and inclusive framework at COP27 that can translate the common climate goals into action? (250 Words).