India’s Role in G20 and Climate Action
Amitabh Kant’s Insights
India’s G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, emphasized New Delhi’s significant role in last year’s G20 summit, focusing on energy transition and climate action. Speaking at a roundtable titled ‘The Road Ahead: Building on Global South Strengths at COP29 & G20’, Kant highlighted India’s proactive approach to green transition.
Green Development Pact
The New Delhi G20 Declaration introduced the ‘Green Development Pact’, addressing the balance between combating hunger and protecting the planet. It proposed a roadmap where employment and ecosystems complement each other, consumption is climate-conscious, and production is planet-friendly. The declaration called for tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030.
India’s Renewable Energy Potential
Kant noted India’s potential to become the largest exporter of green energy, despite being a major fossil fuel importer. He emphasized India’s commitment to environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Global Emissions and India’s Commitment
India’s historical emissions are less than 4% of global cumulative carbon dioxide emissions, despite housing 17% of the world’s population. At COP26 in 2021, India set a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
Expert Opinions
Economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia stressed the need for a strategic plan to achieve net zero emissions, while Kirit Parikh suggested the West should take more responsibility in climate finance and proposed a tax on countries based on per capita carbon emissions.
Future Goals
India aims to generate half of its energy from renewables and reduce emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030. The upcoming COP29 will be held in November in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Doubts Revealed
Amitabh Kant -: Amitabh Kant is an important person who represents India in international meetings like the G20. He helps discuss and make plans for big issues like climate change and energy.
G20 -: The G20 is a group of 20 countries that come together to discuss and solve global problems. These countries are some of the biggest and most powerful in the world.
Sherpa -: In this context, a Sherpa is a person who helps prepare for big international meetings like the G20. They work behind the scenes to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Energy transition -: Energy transition means changing from using energy sources that can harm the environment, like coal and oil, to cleaner ones like wind and solar power.
Climate action -: Climate action refers to efforts made to reduce the negative effects of climate change. This includes using less fossil fuel and protecting the environment.
Green Development Pact -: The Green Development Pact is an agreement to help protect the environment while also making sure people have enough food and resources. It aims to increase the use of renewable energy.
Renewable energy -: Renewable energy comes from natural sources that can be replenished, like sunlight, wind, and water. It is cleaner and better for the environment than fossil fuels.
Net zero emissions -: Net zero emissions mean balancing the amount of greenhouse gases put into the air with the amount taken out, so the total is zero. This helps stop climate change.
Climate finance -: Climate finance is money provided to help countries and people deal with climate change. It can be used for projects that reduce pollution or help adapt to changes in the climate.
