Last updated on July 3rd, 2023 at 05:03 pm
The ‘Voice of Global South Summit’ was held virtually yesterday and included a session from the Environment Ministers. The summit’s topic was how to balance growth with environmentally friendly lifestyles. The session was participated in by ministers from fourteen countries of the Global South.
The opening remarks were given by Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. In his address, Shri Yadav said that there is a need for developing policies that are inclusive and sustainable to reduce inequality and contribute to the empowerment and improvement of the quality of people’s lives. He mentioned India’s role in supporting and raising the voice of the Global South in knuckling down climate change and environmental issues at various international fora.
The developed world’s role in providing financial and technological assistance to developing countries was highlighted by Yadav. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) countries face many problems due to climate change, and India has taken several initiatives to help these countries, such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS), and International Solar Alliance (ISA).
The experience of India in tackling natural disasters through institutional mechanisms was also highlighted. The ministers of the Global South were mentioned to the G20 presidency and the topics of blue economy, circular economy and land restoration.
Minister of the Environment of the Union insisted that the actions that help the environment (LiFE Actions), on a large scale all over the world, can be a great help to save our planet common and the only one that we have. The importance of the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) in tackling the global issue of climate change was highlighted by him.
Various problems being faced by the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) were raised by the Ministers from the Global South. Some of the common issues they raised were food security, sea level rise, and coastal erosion, as well as the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The coastal countries that are still developing also stated the catastrophic impacts of climate change.
Highlighting the role of the adaptation policies they are developing to tackle climate change, many developing countries showed their concern. The developing South mentioned common attempts such as using green energy, renewable energy, a circular economy, sustainable development, and biodiversity conservation. Many countries have highlighted their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases.
All countries congratulated India on the G20 presidency and expected positive outcomes on the topics of blue economy, circular economy, and land degradation.
Although the solution to climate change is not easy for developing states, which lack technological and financial support, the problem is common for all countries, developed and developing alike. The role of South-South Cooperation in tackling the challenges of climate change was highlighted.
