Special Climate Meet on the Sidelines of UNGA

UN Secretary General convened a special Climate Action Summit on 23rd September, 2019, at the start of the annual General Assembly session, in a bid to nudge countries to do more to fight climate change. Indian Prime Minister also addressed the Climate Action Summit in the UN General Assembly chamber.

Why a Special Summit?

  • Presence of Heads of Government: The meeting has a bigger profile, with close to 60 heads of state or government, including from France, Germany, Britain, etc.
  • Concrete Plans: This meeting is different from earlier efforts as the UN Secretary General has asked countries to bring their action plans in line with the objective of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent by 2030, and to “net zero” by 2050.
  • Preventing Pollution: Additionally, countries have been appealed to promise not to set up any new coal plants after 2020, stop subsidies on fossil fuels, and levy additional taxes on polluters. Importantly, all countries have been exhorted to commit to net zero emissions by 2050.

India’s Stand

  • Onus on Developed Countries: India has already stated that it is in no position to upgrade its climate action plan. Instead, it has reminded the developed world that they have been woefully short of fulfilling their obligation of providing money and technology to developing countries to help them deal with the impacts of climate change.
  • Need for More Funds: It has pointed out that the finance needs specified by the developing countries in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2015 adds up to $4.4 trillion. India alone requires $206 billion by 2030 to implement only the adaptation programmes in agriculture, forestry, water resources, and infrastructure. Thus more financial support from developed world is quite pertinent.
  • Refusal to Set Long Term Goal: India has said while it will continue to “do its best” on climate actions, it would not commit to any long-term goal, like a net-zero emission target for 2050, at this stage.

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