A week before Diwali, world leaders of the Group of Twenty or G20 member countries, gathered in Rome for the 16th G20 Summit on 30-31 October. India’s Prime Minister led the Indian delegation. Leaders then traveled to Glasgow for the COP26 or the 26th meeting of the Conference of the Parties, attended by signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The two meetings happened at a time when the world is confronted with the difficult challenges of a global pandemic and climate change. The pandemic disrupted travel and supply chains, while lockdowns severely impacted economic growth, worsening poverty and inequality. Climate change further exacerbates economic inequalities between nations and peoples. It makes future pandemics more likely. The COP26 summit aimed to bring ‘parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’.
The two important summits helped focus the world’s attention on the most crucial challenges facing humanity today.
G20 is an intergovernmental forum of some of the world’s largest economies from the industrialised and the developing world. It was founded in 1999 at a time of economic crises in the world and works to address the major challenges facing the global economy, including international financial stability, climate change, mitigation and sustainable development. G20 accounts for over 80 percent of the global GDP, 75 percent of global trade and around two-thirds of the global population. It also accounts for about 80 percent of the emissions of global greenhouse gases.
Given the size and strategic importance of G20 member countries, they are best placed to try and work out the way forward for long term global economic growth. They are also in a position to help lay the foundation of resilient, sustainable and green development plans. An important outcome of this G20 is the agreement on a 15% global minimum tax, which would require multinationals to pay taxes in the countries of operation.
While making pledges on climate, there were no commitments made. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Gueterres, tweeted to welcome the G20's recommitment to global solutions, but said that he was leaving Rome with hopes unfulfilled, but not buried. “Onwards to COP26 in Glasgow to keep the goal of 1.5 degrees alive and to implement promises on finance and adaptation for people & planet”.
India has been underlining the need for effective global governance, reformed multilateralism and an inclusive and sustainable recovery from COVID-19. At the G20 meeting on Afghanistan, India highlighted the need for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan ahead of the looming winter, as around 1 million children could face starvation in the days to come. India also emphasised that Taliban ensure that Afghanistan is not used for terrorism against other countries.
India’s role as a positive contributor to the global fight against COVID-19 came to the fore as India is preparing to produce more than 5 billion vaccines next year. This will make a vital contribution to the global vaccination efforts to defeat the pandemic. India also proposed mutual recognition of vaccine certification which will facilitate international travel.
India has performed well on its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). There’s been an enormous push for renewable energy in India. Given India’s large size and population, and the need to fulfil the development aspirations of millions of people living in a developing country that has not been a cause of climate change, India emphasises on the need for developed countries to fully implement their commitments, especially those related to financing and technology. Developing countries need this support to be able to combat climate change. It is time for climate justice. At Glasgow COP26, PM Modi made ambitious announcements, including achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, reaching non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW, meeting 50 percent of India’s energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030, and that India would make a one billion-tonne reduction in projected emissions from now until 2030. We are once again at Diwali time. I am reminded that last year on Diwali I wrote the first column for Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, UK. I was then unsure if I would persevere, never having written a column before. One year later, I am more sanguine about it. Thanks to the readers of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, UK, for indulging me!
On this note, I conclude by wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous Diwali. May this festive season bring victory over the evil pandemic.
