COP-26 kicks off on October 31; climate technology, finance to be India’s main focus

Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 30

With host British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly estimating the chances of a successful outcome to the United Nations COP 26 at “about six out of 10”, the much-awaited climate summit kicks off on October 31 in Glasgow.

India has assured the UK COP Presidency of full support for the meaningful outcome of COP-26 with Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stating that the upcoming climate summit should be of “action and implementation”.

However, since combating climate change is a universal challenge, India wants global climate action to be guided by principles and values of climate justice and equity. In those terms, technology transfer and climate finance—the two factors essential for a “level playing field between developed and developing countries”—will form the basis of India’s pitch at the summit. The country will pitch for the $100 billion per year climate financing by developed nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will participate in the high-level segment of COP-26 titled ‘World Leaders’ Summit (WLS) along with 120 heads of states/governments from around the world on November 1-2, will highlight “the need to comprehensively address climate change issues including equitable distribution of carbon space, support for mitigation and adaptation and resilience-building measures, mobilisation of finance, technology transfer and importance of sustainable lifestyles for green and inclusive growth”.

There are huge expectations from COP 26 including arriving at a consensus on unresolved issues of the Paris Agreement Rule Book, long-term climate finance, market-based mechanisms, etc.

The summit (October 31 to November 12) aims to review and amend promises by countries and companies worldwide to contribute to mitigation efforts. Amid a growing number of extreme climate events, there is tremendous pressure on developing nations like India to revise nationally determined commitments (NDCs), cut-off coal/fossil fuels, and declare a Net Zero target.

But with per capita carbon emissions per year “far less than countries like the USA, EU, and China”, India’s stance is that it is doing what is required to tackle climate change and is willing to contribute “constructively” to further efforts. But “fossil fuels are essential for its growth plans and targets” and “what is happening today is due to historic actions of developed nations”. India’s INDC pitch includes approximately 450-Gigawatt renewable energy by 2030, and other mitigation efforts. Indian negotiators are expected to move to establish a mechanism for ‘loss and damage’ due to climate change-related events and compensating regions most vulnerable and help them prevent and manage mishaps in the future.

According to reports, Britain hopes the summit will adopt plans to help move closer to the target of limiting the rise in the average global temperature to 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

While the Paris Agreement of 2015 pledged to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the world has already warmed by 1.1°C since then.

CSE’s Sunita Narain says even enhanced NDCs are not nearly enough to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

“Many poor countries, with low annual emissions, have pledged higher targets than rich countries, which is a mockery of the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and a human rights concern,” she says.