March 16, 2019
India has been initiating domestic climate actions, both related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, primarily through its own financial resources
Low efficiency in nitrogen application has led to pollution that threatens ecosystem, human health, climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion
Only a small proportion of the plastics produced globally are recycled with most of it damaging the environment and aquatic biodiversity, often irreversibly
On the sidelines of UNEA, India also hosted a critical session on “Global Partnerships: Key to Unlocking Resource Efficiency and Inclusive Green Economies”
India has piloted resolutions on two leading global environment issues relating to single-use plastics and sustainable nitrogen management at the 4th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA). The UNEA, held in Nairobi over March 11-15, adopted both the resolutions with consensus. The theme of the latest UNEA was innovative solutions for environmental challenges as well as sustainable production and consumption. Government of India has taken proactive steps to employ leading environmental standards in the operations of key state machineries, while increasingly moving towards renewable energy sources.
The recent resolution will help nations tackle the impact of rising nitrogen usages globally. Low efficiency in nitrogen application has led to pollution that threatens ecosystem, human health, climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion. Meanwhile, only a small proportion of the plastics produced globally are recycled with most of it damaging the environment and aquatic biodiversity. The resolutions adopted at UNEA will help mobilize funding, technology and expertise in tackling the environmental challenges. The matter is all the more critical for developing nations that are seeing fast-paced economic growth.
On the sidelines, India also hosted a critical session on “Global Partnerships: Key to Unlocking Resource Efficiency and Inclusive Green Economies”. The event was attended by representatives of UNEA member states, civil society organizations, private sector organizations, including leading financial institutions. The event had a panel discussion with participation from Germany, Brazil, South Africa and management of international financial institutions. The event focussed on mainstreaming of resource efficiency and use of secondary raw materials through partnerships and action at scale that is critical for green economy.
India also participated in a panel discussion on “Need for additional commitments of public finance and the ways to maximize mobilization of climate finance”. It was highlighted that climate financing is an key lever for climate action related to both mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. Contributions to climate finance need to be in line with the basic principles of common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC). Climate finance is more of an obligation of developed countries, based on their historical emissions. The availability of sufficient climate finance is key for climate action.