Fulfil pre-2020 climate pledges, New Delhi urges developed world
Only six countries are on track to meet their NDCs announced in Paris, and India is leading the packIndia also pushed for building consensus on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement before finalizing the rules for the Agreement
New Delhi: The high-level segment of the United Nations Climate Change Summit began in Madrid, Spain, on Wednesday with India urging developed countries to fulfil their pre-2020 commitments before a global stocktaking to review the impact of climate action.
Delegates from 200 countries including India are attending the summit, the 25th Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is expected to finalize rules governing the 2015 Paris Agreement that formally kicks in next year.
Only six countries are on track to meet their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) announced in Paris, and India is leading the pack, according to the Union minister for environment, forests and climate change, Prakash Javadekar.
“Has the developed world delivered on its promises? Neither their NDCs reflect ambitions nor have they shown willingness to enhance their commitments," he said. Developed countries had promised $1 trillion in the last ten years, but not even 2% of this has materialized, he pointed out.
“This is the time for ownership, time for responsible action. The world that benefited from carbon emissions that made them developed must repay. Affordable technology development is crucial for developing countries. If we are dealing with a disaster, nobody should profit from it," he emphasized.
India also pushed for building consensus on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement before finalizing the rules for the Agreement.
“If this is not resolved, the question will hang over next year’s talks also, when countries are expected to realign their emissions—cutting targets on staying within 2 °C rise above pre-industrial levels in global average temperatures," said Karan Mangotra, associate director of earth science and climate change division at The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI).
India also stressed on the need for more joint research and collaboration and prioritized adaptation as an integral part of climate actions.
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