COP29: Big discussion in Azerbaijan on climate, with what target did India arrive this time?
The 12-day climate conference is starting from Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirtivardhan Singh will lead the 19-member delegation from India. India is going to focus mainly on 3 objectives in the meeting.
India's 3 priorities at the COP29 meeting will focus on ensuring accountability for the urgent need for climate finance, protecting vulnerable communities, and equitable energy transition.
PM Modi will not attend COP29
This time Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the meeting, while Environment Minister Bhupendra Singh is also not participating, the 19-member Indian delegation will be led by Union Minister of State Kirtivardhan Singh. India's official statement in this 12-day conference is to be held on 18 and 19 November.
India's 3 priorities at COP29
As part of its priorities, India will focus on ensuring accountability of developed countries regarding climate finance. In fact, developed countries had assured developing countries of funds to tackle climate change, which has not been fulfilled yet. India will try to focus on fulfilling this promise so that developing countries get help. At the same time, the need for equitable energy transition will be emphasized keeping in mind the security and economic development of vulnerable communities most affected by climate change.
It is necessary to fix accountability- Ghosh
Dr. Arunabh Ghosh, CEO of Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), says that COP29 needs to make more efforts than promises. Developed countries should rapidly reduce their carbon emissions and provide effective financial assistance to weaker countries. He said that climate COPs are about raising ambitions, taking effective action and most importantly, deciding responsibility. Arunabh Ghosh says that many promises were made in the last COP28 meeting but developed countries were exempted from it. Therefore, the maximum focus in COP29 should be on deciding responsibility.
The biggest carbon emitters must rapidly reduce their emissions and raise their ambitions. Climate finance must be sustainable, accessible, catalytic and reliable. COP29 must also ensure real resources and capacity are committed to protecting the most vulnerable communities.
India's strategy will focus on these
India's approach at COP29 will focus on ensuring accountability, equitable financing and enhancing the goals of developing economies. India's strategy will be to challenge developed countries to fulfill their climate finance promises and negotiate on making climate finance more transparent and reliable.
What are the expectations from COP29?
Kenya's climate change envoy Ali Mohammed has said that Africa needs a 'finance COP' that does not increase its debt further. He said that the framework of global climate resilience should be such that it supports agriculture, water, health, biodiversity, and infrastructure.
Dr. Frances Colan, Senior Director for International Climate Policy at the Center for American Progress, emphasized the importance of this conference after Donald Trump's victory in the US election. Because Trump can adopt policies that support oil and gas.
Possibility of negotiations on new targets
This time the meeting may discuss new collectively set targets for climate finance (NCQG), which is an important standard and can reach trillions of dollars annually. However many developing countries consider it effective in fighting climate change. The release of the Global Carbon Budget on November 13 will provide a detailed assessment of the current emission trend and information about how closely it matches the targets of the Paris Agreement.
There will be no Indian pavilion this time
Unlike previous talks, India will not organize its pavilion at COP29 this time. Generally, through pavilions, all countries showcase their achievements and efforts to tackle climate change. India has taken this decision at a time when India is trying to balance the demand for energy needs as a developed country while focusing on economic development.
What will be the role of the EU and China?
European Union climate policy expert Linda Kalcher says that Europe should maintain strong support for climate finance, especially when there is a possibility of a change in policies regarding it in the US. She described the EU as the most reliable partner in climate finance for developing countries and said that it cannot hide at present.
At the same time, Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, says that COP29 is a test of global cooperation. He said that in case of a change of power in the US, the EU and China should play a leadership role.