On the occasion of the 4th Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group Meeting (ECSWG) and Environment and Climate Ministers’ Meeting, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, will play the role of host from July 26 to 28, in which ministers across the nation will participate to discuss and finalize the outcome documents.
On Tuesday, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Richa Sharma, briefed the media on the following three-day event by highlighting the leading role of India in discussions of issues spanning across various sectors under the G20 presidency.
Timeline of G20 WG Meetings
India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2022, under which numerous meetings were held to discuss the prevalent issues permeating the global level. The Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group is a crucial initiative that aims to enhance cooperation among G20 nations to develop solutions pertaining to the environment, sustainability, and climate change.
The first meeting of the ECSWG was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka, from February 9 to 11. In this meeting, various themes were introduced, and the focal point was land degradation. There was deliberation on critical topics such as restoration of areas affected by mining and forest fires, Habitat eco-restoration, circularity in steel and the bio-economy, green development, and many more. The delegates also explored Karnataka’s rich biodiversity by visiting Bannerghatta National Park and Kalkere Arboretum. It did not stop there, as they also interacted with the vibrant cultural heritage of India.
The second meeting was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from March 27 to 29, where the central point was on the topic of Integrated Water Resource Management. Exhibitions like Jal Shakti Initiatives were showcased by organizing stalls. Delegates also discovered the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and explored the rich heritage of Gujarat.
The third meeting was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on May 21–23, and the thematic priority was a sustainable and resilient ocean-based, or blue, economy. On this occasion, a mega beach cleaning event was held, in which people united in India and across the globe. The Ocean 20 dialogue was organized to facilitate discussions to promote a sustainable climate-resilient blue economy. An exhibition was also held to display the unique Indian Handicrafts.
In July, the work will be concluded with the meeting of the ministers of the G20, which will then be initiated at the summit of G20 leaders on September 9 and 10 in Delhi. The ministerial meeting will start from 9 o’clock to 4 o’clock on July 28.
International Collaboration for the Environment
About 225 people will be attending the fourth session, including ministers and delegates from countries and representatives of International organizations. The Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, will also be attending and addressing this ministerial meeting.
Richa Sharma emphasized that the topics are selected for both domestic and international cooperation. Since all G20 members are also the major economies of the world, the topics are picked based on their relevance to each state. For instance, the notion of a blue economy is added, as all G20 nations are coastal counties. Similarly, there is also an augmentation of new themes such as land degradation due to forest fires and abandoned mining sites. “Climate Change has been addressed as a cross-cutting issue across the three thematic priorities of land degradation, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and water resources; sustainable and resilient blue and ocean-based economies; resource efficiency and circular economies,” she stated.
She gave a snapshot of the meeting by saying that, “There will be parallel sessions that we will start in two rooms. In one room, Climate change issues will be discussed, and in the other room, environmental issues will be discussed.” Other than that, she pointed out the extremely important side event being held in the evening on the launch of the REC Industry, Resource Efficiency, and Circular Economy Industry Coalition.
Keynote speeches from five speakers will be bifurcated into two thematic sessions. For the first keynote session, UN Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Mr. Simon Stiell, and COP28 President Sultan Al-Jaber will address the meeting. Then, the Executive Secretary of the UN CCD, Mr. Ibrahim Thiawand, and a keynote speech from the CBD will address the session.
A report will be uploaded on July 28 on the G20 website, which will include all the details in regards to policy series relating to things like waste management, plastics, the circular economy, and many more.
