New Delhi: Ahead of the upcoming COP28 in Dubai, the United Nations Development Programme has said that India is expected to push for a “big change” in the global strategy to tackle climate related issues. Dr. Ashish Chaturvedi, Head, Action for Climate and Environment, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India underscored a need to shift focus from countries or governments to also include people at the centre of collective efforts to tackle climate change. Speaking on behalf of the UNDP India, he said India is hoping for a big change in how the world tackles climate related issues.
Like India’s G20 presidency, the critical intersections of climate, health, and gender are likely to be highlighted at COP28, Dr. Chaturvedi said. The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as COP28, will begin on November 30.
This idea is the foundation of the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in October 2022. LiFE promotes a way of living that is good for the environment. It is about using fewer resources, being mindful of what we consume, and staying healthy.
At COP28, the key areas of focus will revolve around mitigation, adaptation, loss and damages, and finance, he added.
India’s advocacy extends beyond lifestyle changes, he said, noting that it calls for a bigger scope in the Loss and Damages Fund (LDF), urging inclusivity for developing nations. The LDF aims to provide financial assistance to nations most vulnerable and impacted by the effects of climate change.
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Additionally, COP28 will be a platform for India to showcase its commitment to achieve the ambitious renewable energy targets by 2030, Dr. Chaturvedi added. Dr. Chaturvedi told PTI.
India is on track to triple its renewable energy targets by 2030, something that needs to be recognised globally.
Dr. Chaturvedi said the Global Stocktake will be one of key agenda items at COP28, marking the conclusion of its first two-year cycle.
The Global Stocktake enables countries and other stakeholders to see where they’re collectively making progress toward meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement – and where they’re not. This comprehensive review evaluates worldwide efforts to reduce emissions, build resilience, and secure financing to combat climate change, he said.
The focus of COP28 extends to addressing gaps highlighted in the Global Stocktake. Dr. Chaturvedi said, emphasising the opportunity for governments to forge ambitious deals.
COP 28 is a crucial moment for the energy sector.
Drawing attention to the urgency of climate action in the food systems, Dr. Chaturvedi echoed the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) confirmation that even immediate elimination of fossil fuel emissions would not be sufficient to achieve the 1.5°C target.
COP28 is taking place from November 30 to December 12, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Prime Minister Modi is also expected to attend the annual summit. PTI UZM (This story was produced as part of the 2023 Climate Change Media Partnership, a journalism fellowship organised by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.)
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NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
