‘Unfortunate’ developing countries deprived of climate finance and technology : Bhupender Yadav

Abu Dhabi: It is “unfortunate” that promises made by the developed nations of transfers of climate finance and technology have not yet taken place, said the Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav on Monday.

Speaking at the ongoing IGF ‘Climate Finance and Technology Summit’ organized by India Global Forum and Abu Dhabi, virtually the Minister said, both these commitments are the key to fight against the climate change and expressed hope that developed nations would shoulder these two issues.

The IGF Climate Finance and Technology Summit kicked off in Abu Dhabi on Monday, will explore the roadmap to COP28, and the role to be played by partners such as India in identifying solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation.

Yadav also spelled out Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Mission LIFE – or Lifestyle for Environment – climate action agenda that takes people as partners on the mission to combat climate change.

“Whether it is individually or collectively, we must focus on mindful consumption rather than mindless utilization,” said Yadav.

Taking about the  ‘Early Warning System’ he said, “Every person should have excess to the technology so that death could have been avoided due to extreme weather events or other climate activities.

The Minister also said India has extended its support to the “Executive Action Plan for the Early Warnings” which was unveiled at COP27 in Egypt. The plan was drawn up by the World Meteorological Organization and partners, and it was supported by a joint statement signed by 50 countries.

The Minister said, “India’s Ministry of Earth and Sciences is already working on it and we will provide the service to 13 countries.

With reference to the recently concluded COP27 climate summit in Egypt, the minister welcomed “sufficient progress” in some areas but lamented that the technology transfer pledges for the developing world remain unfulfilled.

He said the road to COP28 must be one of working together in achieving sustainable consumption goals and highlighted that India’s G20 Presidency also offers an important opportunity on this road to the next climate summit.  

He said “I am happy that we unanimously agreed to implement the loss and damages action, called for by developing countries, at COP27.  

“As far as we are concerned, we say that India is always a part of the solution and not the problem” he added,  “We are here today because we have a responsibility to move faster and tackle climate change and India has a major role to play”

Asked about his disappointments around the Egypt Summit, the minister pointed to news of some coal mines being opened in western countries. Looking ahead, he said India is keen to work together with the UAE for COP28.

“I feel by the next COP, the implementation stand taken in Sharm El Sheikh will become more strong and more progressive in the manner that all developing countries will get justice in the field of climate change,” the minister added

Earlier participating in the debate, Michael Bloomberg, Founder, Bloomberg LP said, “We are here today because we have a responsibility to move faster and tackle climate change, and India has a major role to play”.

He said, “together, we can really accelerate the global progress on climate change, and we can show how cutting emissions and strengthening the economies really do go hand in hand, adding that “India is going to play a key role in the climate change initiatives.”

He noted, “With Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking over the G20 presidency next year, the world will be looking at India’s public and private sector leaders for bold leadership.”

The second IGF Climate Finance and Technology Summit will explore what the roadmap to COP28 looks like and the roles of India and the UAE in identifying solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation.

It will also be emphasised actuating climate solutions that focus on inclusive and equitable development, collaborating to build public and private partnerships to accelerate climate action, and innovating new climate technologies that can be accessible and scaled up.