Opening Remarks by Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav at the Environment Ministers’ Session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit (November 17, 2023)
Excellencies
Namaste
It is my honour to welcome you all to the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit under the theme, ‘Global South - Together for Everyone's Growth, With Everyone's Trust’. The multiple crises of pandemic, geopolitical tensions and climate change impacts have disproportionately impacted the developing countries and even reversed development gains. The Summit is to discuss our resolve to come together amidst the unprecedented challenges facing the Global South, and this Session on Environment will focus on sustainable solutions for climate resilience and climate finance.
During the 1st Voice of Global South Summit held in January this year, about 125 countries from the Global South deliberated on the challenges and struggles faced by its members and exchanged ideas for a shared vision for a future in which no one is left behind. Bridging digital divide, arresting environmental degradation, achieving Sustainable Development Goals, stabilizing international fuel prices, growth with ecological harmony and world peace were pondered in the 1st Summit. India also invited all countries to join the global movement of Lifestyle For Environment like missions launched by Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save the Earth.
India has resonated the views of the developing countries, including those raised during the 1st Voice of Global South Summit, at the G20 deliberations under her inclusive G20 Presidency based on the theme, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration adopted by G20 recognized the importance of providing climate finance to the developing countries. The developed countries were reminded of their commitment to jointly mobilize $100 billion climate finance per year by 2020 to developing countries and doubling their contribution for adaptation finance from 2019 level by 2025. We extended support to the process for operationalizing the fund arrangements for loss and damages.
India's G20 Presidency also catalyzed efforts on disaster risk reduction through institutionalization of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group. It supports the augmentation of capabilities of all countries, in particular developing nations, LDCs and SIDS, for promoting disaster and climate resilience of infrastructure systems. India, working under PM Shri Narendra Modi ji’s visionary leadership, has also developed the compendium of good practices on dealing with the restoration of degraded land due to forest fires and mining activities, during its Presidency of G20. To expedite the global uptake of biofuels, India along with partner countries launched the Global Biofuel Alliance during the G20 Summit.
Excellencies
India has actively contributed to the global fight against climate change despite India having contributed little to global warming historically and its current per capita Greenhouse Gas emissions being less than one third of the global average. India has consistently made ambitious commitments and has led by example with ambitious domestic actions to meet its commitments. India is one of the few big economies which is well on its way to meet its NDC targets. While doing so, we have also enhanced our climate ambition. India has achieved around 44% of non-fossil fuel electrical installed capacity this year, which exceed the original NDC target of 40% which was to be achieved by 2030. This target has been enhanced to 50% in the updated NDC.
To enable a green transition, India has adopted the Green Credit Program for incentivizing voluntary environmental and climate conscious actions by individuals and public & private entities which would fast-track our collective actions toward achieving a sustainable economy. Being an agriculture-based country, India has focused on various initiatives to focus on circular economy, reduction of Greenhouse Gases, promote eco-friendly fuels and waste management. One such scheme is the GOBARdhan Initiative. The focus is on converting cattle dung and solid waste into compost and biogas, promoting sustainable agriculture practices while addressing waste management challenges.
India has also adopted the Extended Producers Responsibility Scheme to ensure that the circularity of the industrial usage of materials is ensured in critical sectors like plastic, e-waste, tyres and batteries. India has been taking vital environmental conservation action as well, exemplified by initiatives such as Amrit Dharohar for the conservation of the Ramsar sites as well as the Mangrove Initiative for Seashore Habitat and Tangible Income Program, we call it as MISHTI.
While the finance to undertake various activities is yet to be received from the developed countries, India launched Sovereign Green Bonds by mobilizing resources for green infrastructure. To enable the process of raising Sovereign Green Bonds, India formulated the Sovereign Green Bond Framework. The Sovereign Green Bonds have raised about US$ 2 billion.
India hosted the United Nations Forum on Forests from 26th to 28th October 2023 at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, here in our country. This country-led initiative focused on two thematic areas; first, forest fires and best practices to its prevention and restoration in fire-affected areas; second, forest certification and sustainable forest management. India has always shared its experience for the betterment of humanity. Recognizing the collective responsibility in addressing environmental degradation and climate challenges, India emphasized the pivotal role of knowledge sharing in fostering a sustainable future.
Excellencies
I am looking forward to hearing your insightful ideas, experiences and solutions to the pressing environmental issues we are facing today. We hope to strengthen our alliance and speak with one vision, one voice on issues that are vital to well-being of our peoples. I once again extend a warm welcome to you all to this Environment Ministers’ Session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit 2023.
Thank you very much.