Cabinet Gives Approval to India’s Approach for COP 24

The key focus of meeting was to finalize guidelines for implementation of Paris Agreement in post 2020 period.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the negotiating stand of India at the 24th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Katowice, Poland from 2-15 December 2018.

This is in continuation to the earlier approval dated 28th November 2018.

The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The key focus of meeting was to finalize guidelines for implementation of Paris Agreement in post 2020 period. India’s approach was guided by principles and provisions of UNFCCC and Paris Agreement particularly the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capability (CBPR-RC).

India reiterated its commitment to Paris Agreement and highlighted its leadership during the COP-24 by reuniting its promise to implement the Paris Agreement fully in a collective manner.

In line with India’s traditional ethos of protecting environment, Government of India has taken several initiatives to address climate change concerns under the leadership of Narendra Modi and these initiatives reflect India’s commitment towards climate action.

The push for renewable energy leading to achieving about 74 GW of installed renewable energy capacity including about 24 GW from solar; leading the world in its pursuit of enhanced solar energy capacity through International Solar Alliance; energy efficiency measures etc,.

It is however important to ensure that the actions of developing countries are supported by sustained and adequate means of implementation including finance, capacity building and technological support by developed countries.

Parties have also agreed to initiate the work on setting up the new collective finance goals post-2020 from the floor of US$ 100 billion.