The United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC) John Kerry is set to visit India today, according to the US State Department.
US and India to launch climate action and finance mobilisation dialogue during John Kerry’s 3-day visit to India
Indian Prime Minister announced during the Leader’s Summit on Climate hosted by Joe Biden last April that the leaders from both countries will engage in a dialogue on the US-India Agenda 2030 partnership.
The Climate Action and Finance Mobilization dialogue will facilitate India to mobilise investments and finances and enable green collaborations.
During his last visit to India in April 2021, John Kerry met with important government officials of the country.
He informed them about the US’ interest in helping India achieve its 450 GW goal ahead of COP 26.
This meeting was followed by reiterating the same promise during a virtual summit of 40 global leaders hosted by Joe Biden in August of this year.
During the Leaders’ Summit in August, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the two countries’ Climate and Clean Energy partnership to help “mobilise investments and enable green collaborations”.
He emphasised the importance of “affordable access to green finance and green technology in developing countries”.
He assured the leaders of India’s willingness to engage with partners to create “templates of sustainable development”.
THE US-SPEC TO STAY IN INDIA FOR THREE DAYS
Union Environment Minister Bhupendar Yadav held a telephonic conversation with Kerry on August 24 on the same issue.
The minister took to Twitter to announce his interaction with the US SPEC and reiterated India’s clean energy commitment.
https://twitter.com/byadavbjp/status/1430179525221130243
The statement issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) referred to the dialogue as a “constructive tie-up” in “setting examples for other countries”.
John Kerry is expected to visit the country today, on September 12, and the dialogue will be held for three days till September 14, informed the US State Department last Saturday.
CLIMATE ACTION AND FINANCE MOBILISATION DIALOGUE
CAFMD is one of the two essential tracks of the US-India Clean Energy Agenda 2030 partnership on climate.
It was announced in April this year during a Leaders’ Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden.
It is part of the US’ larger strategy to facilitate bilateral and multilateral efforts to combat the climate crisis ahead of the 26th Conference of Parties.
COP 26 is expected to be held in Glasgow, UK, from October 31 to November 12, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The dialogue aims to help India mobilise its finances and facilitate green collaborations, especially green infrastructure.
Kerry will meet key government representatives and pressure the country to raise its global climate ambition in the run-up to COP 26.
The US envoy will also meet private sector leaders to ensure their commitment to speed up India’s clean energy transition.
He will also press for setting new goals ahead of the Glasgow summit.
The Joe Biden government reinstated the United States to the Paris Climate Agreement after Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal during his term.
Kerry’s visit is one of the country’s many attempts to ensure the success of the 2015 Climate Accord.
INDIA’S PARIS ACCORD GOALS
The Paris Climate Accord aims to limit the planet’s warming to “well below two degrees Celsius” compared to the pre-industrial temperature levels.
Under the Agreement, India has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions to 33-35% from 2005 levels by 2030.
It is also on track to increase its non-fossil fuel power capacity from 28% (in 2015) to 40% by 2030 to reduce its carbon footprint.
According to India’s Prime Minister, the country will achieve its goals well before the target date.
