India reaffirms commitment to equitable climate action at Leaders’ Summit of UNFCCC CoP30 in Brazil – The Economic Times

Report on India’s National Statement at CoP30: A Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals

Upholding SDG 13 (Climate Action) through Equity and Multilateralism

At the 30th Conference of the Parties (CoP30) in Belem, Brazil, India’s national statement reaffirmed its commitment to global climate action, framing it within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. The statement underscored the foundational principles guiding India’s approach, which are critical for achieving SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) on a global scale.

• Equity and CBDR-RC: India reiterated its adherence to the principles of Equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), originating from the Rio Summit, as the basis for a just and effective international climate regime.
• Paris Agreement: The statement highlighted the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement as an opportunity to reflect on the global response to climate change and reinforce the multilateral architecture designed to address it.
• Call for Global Ambition: It was noted that while developing countries are undertaking significant climate action, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of many nations fall short, indicating inadequate global ambition to meet the targets of SDG 13.

National Achievements in Advancing SDG 7 and SDG 13

India presented its progress in decoupling economic growth from emissions, directly contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 13. The nation’s low-carbon development pathway has yielded significant, measurable results.

1. Emission Intensity Reduction: Between 2005 and 2020, India successfully reduced the emission intensity of its GDP by 36%, demonstrating progress towards sustainable economic models.
2. Clean Energy Transition: Non-fossil fuel sources now constitute over 50% of India’s installed power capacity, a key milestone for SDG 7. This achievement enabled the country to meet its revised NDC target five years ahead of schedule.
3. Renewable Energy Leadership: With nearly 200 GW of installed renewable capacity, India has become the world’s third-largest producer of renewable energy, scaling up clean energy access.

Contributions to SDG 15 (Life on Land)

The statement highlighted India’s tangible contributions to SDG 15 (Life on Land) through dedicated efforts in afforestation and conservation, which also bolster climate mitigation efforts.

• Forest and Tree Cover Expansion: India has significantly expanded its forest and tree cover, creating an additional carbon sink equivalent to 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ between 2005 and 2021.
• Support for Global Forest Preservation: India joined the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), an initiative by Brazil, as an Observer, signaling its support for collective global action to preserve vital ecosystems.

Fostering SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

India emphasized the critical role of international cooperation and partnerships, as outlined in SDG 17, for achieving global climate goals. The statement called for strengthened collaboration and the fulfillment of existing commitments.

• International Solar Alliance (ISA): India’s leadership in global initiatives like the ISA, which unites over 120 countries, promotes affordable solar energy and facilitates South-South collaboration.
• Call for Developed Nation Support: It was stressed that for developing countries to implement ambitious climate targets, developed nations must deliver on their promises of adequate, predictable, and affordable finance, technology access, and capacity-building.
• Future of Climate Action: India called for the next decade of climate action to be defined by implementation, resilience, and shared responsibility, reaffirming its commitment to working with all nations to transition towards a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article directly addresses this goal by highlighting India’s achievements in renewable energy. It mentions that “Non-fossil power now accounts for over 50% of India’s installed capacity” and that India is the “world’s third-largest producer of renewable energy with nearly 200 GW of installed renewable capacity.” The promotion of solar energy through the International Solar Alliance is also a key point.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This is the central theme of the article. The entire text revolves around India’s commitment to climate action at the CoP30 summit. It discusses reducing emission intensity, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Paris Agreement, and the need for global collaboration to combat climate change, as evidenced by the statement that India “reiterated the country’s consistent commitment to climate action.”

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The article connects to this goal through its focus on forests as a crucial element of climate action. It mentions India’s support for the “Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF)” and highlights the country’s success in the “expansion of forest and tree cover, and the additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent created between 2005 and 2021.”

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  This goal is addressed through the article’s emphasis on international cooperation, multilateralism, and the means of implementation. The discussion on the CoP30 summit, the Paris Agreement, the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR-RC), the call for “affordable finance, technology access and capacity-building” for developing countries, and the mention of the International Solar Alliance uniting “over 120 countries” all point to the importance of global partnerships.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article provides direct evidence of progress towards this target by stating that “Non-fossil power now accounts for over 50% of India’s installed capacity” and India has “nearly 200 GW of installed renewable capacity.”
   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. This is identified through the mention of the “International Solar Alliance” which “unite over 120 countries and promote affordable solar energy and South-South collaboration.”

2. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article highlights this by mentioning India’s “low-carbon development path,” the reduction of “the emission intensity of GDP by 36%,” and reaching its “revised NDC target five years ahead of schedule.”
   • Target 13.a: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020… The article implies this target by stressing that “developed countries must… deliver the promised, adequate and predictable support” and that “Equitable, predictable and concessional climate finance remain the cornerstone to achieve global climate goals.”

3. Under SDG 15 (Life on Land)

   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. The article connects to this target by mentioning India’s support for the “Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF)” and its own “expansion of forest and tree cover.”

4. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

   • Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources. This is directly referenced in the call for “affordable finance” and “concessional climate finance” as essential for implementing climate targets in developing countries.
   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation. The article points to this through the “International Solar Alliance” which promotes “South-South collaboration.”
   • Target 17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed. This is identified by the statement that “technology access and capacity-building are essential for implementing ambitious climate targets in developing countries.”

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

• Reduction in emission intensity of GDP: The article states that “between 2005 and 2020, India reduced the emission intensity of GDP by 36%.” This is a direct indicator for measuring progress on national climate policies (Target 13.2).

• Share of non-fossil fuel in installed power capacity: The statement that “Non-fossil power now accounts for over 50% of India’s installed capacity” serves as a clear indicator for Target 7.2 (Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption).

• Installed renewable energy capacity: The figure of “nearly 200 GW of installed renewable capacity” is a quantitative indicator of the scale of renewable energy deployment, relevant to Target 7.2.

• Carbon sink creation: The “additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent created between 2005 and 2021” is a specific indicator measuring the impact of increased forest and tree cover, relevant to Target 15.2.

• Number of countries in a partnership: The mention that the “International Solar Alliance now unite over 120 countries” serves as an indicator for the scale and success of international partnerships (Targets 7.a and 17.6).

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: m.economictimes.com