From Global Initiatives to Side Events: India’s Impactful Presence at COP 28
-by Navoneela Chakraborty (Research Associate)
With representatives from 197 countries, COP 28 in 2023 was held in Dubai from 30th November - 12th December. It witnessed global leaders coming forward to showcase their efforts to limit global warming and discuss about the preparations for future climate change. India’s engagement in COP 28 has been significant and definitely calls for a discussion.
Firstly, coming to the major initiatives from India’s side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Green Credits initiative’ which aims to incentivize individuals, communities and organizations to undertake environmental actions such as plantation of trees, conservation of water, practicing sustainable agriculture, waste management, etc. The credits earned can then be traded to offset carbon emissions or sold to entities that seek to lower their environmental footprint. Another initiative, the Leadership Group for Industry Transition Phase II (LeadIT 2.0) was also co-launched by Narendra Modi and the Sweden’s Prime Minister, Mr. Ulf Kristersson for the period 2024-26. It will focus on inclusive and just industry transition, co-development and transfer of low-carbon technology and financial assistance to emerging economies. Further, the Global River Cities Alliance was launched by the National Mission for Clean Ganga. This consists of a unique alliance covering 275+ global river cities in 11 countries including India, Egypt, Netherlands, Denmark, Ghana, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan, and river-cities of The Hague (Den Haag) from the Netherlands, Adelaide from Australia, and Szolnok of Hungary. It aims towards river conservation and sustainable water management.
India also stole the show by its active participation in different sessions and meetings. Notable ones include Narendra Modi’s discussions on importance of climate financing for the developing countries in the COP-28 Presidency’s Session on ‘Transforming Climate Finance’, emphasis on ecosystem restoration and biodiversity enhancement in the Mangrove Alliance for Climate Ministerial Meeting, discussions on India’s emission target achievements and its contributions in international efforts in the National Statement, etc. However, our country chose to skip signing the pledge signed at COP 28, the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge, which commits to tripling global installed renewable energy generation capacity to at least 11,000 GW by 2030. India also refused to sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health.
Apart from these, India also organized a number of significant side events. MOeFCC organized a side event as a member of the Quad Climate Working Group (QCWG) on ‘Localising Climate Action’. This event focused on the importance of individuals, local communities, local and regional governments in combating climate change as well as contributions of the National Governments to encourage localized climate action. A publication on India’s climate action journey from COP-21 in Paris to COP-28 was also released in this event. In another side event by India on Climate Resilient Development in Indian Himalayas, there had been discussions on the impacts of climate change vulnerability in the Himalayan region and ways of creating climate resilient development in Indian Himalayan Region by making mountain communities green and resilient.
What India can utilize from the outcomes of COP 28 include the Loss and Damage Fund that has been operationalized in this event as well as the Alterra Fund. The former one provides funds (with an initial corpus of $400 million) to vulnerable countries, including India, experiencing the negative impacts of climate change. The Alterra Fund, on the other hand, announced by UAE, provides US $30 billion investment fund for transformative climate partnerships and seeks to bridge the climate financing gap by raising and investing a corpus of up to $250 billion by 2030.
In conclusion, India’s participation in COP 28 is a major milestone in the country’s journey in combating climate change. What the nation should focus on currently to move in the correct direction include fossil-fuel phase down, increasing scope of renewable energy, committing to climate finance targets, availing climate funds, increasing community participation, enhancement of Nationally Determined Contributions, and capacity building.