Dubai: India called on global leaders at the COP28 climate summit to uphold the Paris Agreement both in letter and spirit through the Global Stocktake process, while prioritising the principles of equity and climate justice.
Speaking at the closing plenary of the COP28, where a climate deal that called for a transition away from fossil fuels was reached, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav said the collective efforts here have sent positive signals to the world in reinforcing commitment to maintaining the temperature goals set in Paris. The way ahead must be based on equity and climate justice, let us implement the Paris Agreement in letter and spirit through the Global Stocktake process, he said.
Agreed upon following almost two weeks of intense discussions, the initial Global Stocktake agreement, known as the UAE consensus, calls on nations to phase-down unabated coal power, that is coal power without carbon capture and storage technology. This represents a shift in position after India and China vehemently opposed the specific targeting of coal.
Soon after speaking at the final plenary, Yadav posted on X that the world came together at COP28 in Dubai to display what he described as positive collaboration and camaraderie for an action-oriented approach towards a greener and healthier planet.
"Through its G20 Presidency steered by PM Shri @narendramodi ji, India displayed the resolve to make climate action a collaborative process that leaves no one behind'. At COP28, India extended the same spirit enshrined in the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," the Minister's post read further.
We support the proposal of the Presidency on the COP decision document while reiterating the fundamental principles enshrined in the Paris Agreement to take action for global good in accordance with national circumstances, he said.
Yadav emphasised the need for the determination displayed at COP to be supported by concrete actions to achieve the goals. He reiterated that developed countries should take the lead due to their historical contributions.
The minister announced that India has fulfilled its previous Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are a series of measures pledged by India as part of global initiatives to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era (1850-1900) by 2030. Furthermore, India has revised these commitments upwards, demonstrating its ongoing dedication to this cause.
India will continue to walk this path with utmost responsibility, and show how economy and ecology can go hand in hand, he said.