COP 28 Dubai Summit Kicks Off Today; Know More About India's Role & Plans At The Global Climate Summit

The United Arab Emirates is gearing up to host the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, with the conference set to run from November 30 to December 12, 2023. More than 70,000 delegates from around the globe are expected to converge on the UAE, with a collective mission to expedite the energy transition and drastically reduce emissions.

COP 28, the world's multilateral decision-making forum on climate change, assumes particular significance against the backdrop of recent geopolitical challenges, including the Israel-Hamas war and Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Global leaders are set to tackle pressing issues related to emissions mitigation targets, fossil fuel phase-out, financial support from developed nations, industry-led solutions, low-carbon innovation, and bridging the gaps between developed and developing nations.

As a developing nation, India's role at COP 28 takes centre stage. Not only is India among the top emitters of greenhouse gases, but it also harbours the world's largest population. The negotiations for India will be a delicate balancing act, aiming to remain ambitious while ensuring equity. The key themes to watch out for include India's methane emissions, loss and damage finance, and the contentious issue of coal-fired power plants.

India faces a significant challenge in curbing methane emissions, particularly from the agricultural sector. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) deems these emissions as 'survival emissions,' emphasizing the need for India to address agriculture and also the oil, gas, and waste sectors.

India, experiencing extreme weather events at an alarming rate, must underscore the importance of 'loss and damage finance.' As the Centre for Science and Environment notes, estimating economic, non-economic, and ecological losses due to climate change impacts is crucial for India's resilience.

While there are calls for an immediate shutdown of coal-fired power plants, India remains firm on its reliance on coal for at least another decade and a half. Balancing the need for energy security with the imperative to phase out fossil fuels poses a formidable task for developing countries like India.

India's transition to cleaner energy sources requires substantial financial backing. The G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration underscores the need for trillions of dollars in the pre-2030 period for developing countries to achieve net-zero targets. India is adamant that any proposal to reduce emissions must come with financial support.

India's climate actions are framed in terms of emissions intensity, focusing on emissions per unit of GDP rather than direct emissions. The country rejects proposals that demand a reduction in overall emissions.

The COP 28 summit, scheduled for two weeks, will include a 'global stocktake' to assess progress toward keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, as history suggests, negotiations might spill over as delegates grapple over the final language of a communique that encapsulates the summit's outcomes.