India will insist on the action and a clear pathway that developed countries must follow to deliver long-promised finance to developing countries for adapting to climate change threats, Bhupender Yadav, Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, said on November 3, ahead of the 27th Conference of Parties (COP) United Nations in Sharm-El-Shaikh, Egypt that begins on November 7.
“This ought to be a COP for action. We will seek clarity on climate finance, technology transfer, and clear definitions of what constitutes climate finance. There are several claims made on funds being given by the West but loans and grants must be clearly differentiated. We will make a strong case for this, this time,” the minister told the reporters.
The summit will also be attended by US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
An update to India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), a formal communication to the UN outlining the country’s steps to limit global temperatures from rising beyond 2°C by the end of the century, was agreed upon by the Union Cabinet this August.
As per the current NDC India is committed to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, from the 2005 level, and achieving 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. These are viewed as a step towards achieving India’s long-term goal of reaching net zero by 2070, a commitment made by PM Modi at the Glasgow, Scotland COP summit in 2021.
In Sharm-El-Sheikh, there will be an India pavilion with the theme LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment). At least 50 organisations will organise side events in the pavilion, which will highlight India’s achievements and leadership in climate change, the Environment Ministry said in a statement.
