India extends full support to UK for successful COP26 in Glasgow

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 18

Stating that India is always committed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) Framework and the Paris Agreement, and will work constructively for successful and balanced outcome at COP26, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday extended full support to the UK for the international climate conference in Glasgow in November this year.

World needs higher concrete actions in terms of climate finance and technology transfer by the developed countries, Yadav also reiterated in his meeting with COP26 president-designate (UK) Alok Sharma, where issues, including those related to climate change, the upcoming conference and the India-UK 2030 Roadmap were discussed.

“India believes that climate actions must be nationally determined and strongly advocates that the differentiation and operationalisation of flexibility provided in the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement for developing countries should be at the core of decision-making” said Yadav, according to an official statement.

Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on climate justice while fighting climate change, Yadav also mentioned global initiatives spearheaded by India under his leadership for tackling climate change, including Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), Coalition on Coalition Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Sharma, who sought the support of India on the COP26 initiatives launched by the UK and for a successful conference, acknowledged India’s leadership role. 

Both the leaders also exchanged views on important climate negotiation agenda items to be deliberated in the upcoming meeting.

Sitharaman meets Alok Sharma

Nirmala Sitharaman also met Alok Sharma and discussed issues related to climate change, specifically COP 26.

Stating that India is among a few G20 countries on track towards UNFCCC and Paris Agreement goals and has taken decisive actions to tackle climate change, the FM expressed hope that the commitment made by the developed countries to provide $100 billion per year to developing countries would be achieved. 

Referring to the dialogue on climate justice, she spoke about the need to bring a sense of compassion towards the poor, according to an official statement. 

Optimistic about a positive outcome on the new collective goals on finance in COP 26, Sitharaman mentioned that the Government is taking concrete steps and at an appreciable speed to meet its commitments on the target of 450GW of renewable energy by 2030. 

"100GW of this renewable energy had already been achieved. Among other important initiatives, the extensive work done on Hydrogen Energy Mission was highlighted," she said.

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