'India walks the talk': Major Win as the world nods' Phase Down' Coal and watering down text on coal is indicative of the gap in financing and technology transfer -something that developed countries will need to focus on moving forward.
New Delhi: It was India's stance, and nearly 200 nations have finally agreed upon it. In a major diplomatic win, India finally could convince the world to include coal to the 'phase down' instead of 'phase out' after days of negotiations. India also backed the COP26 draft that was passed at the Glasgow meeting.
"The summit proved to be a success from India's standpoint because we articulated and put across the concerns and ideas of the developing world quite succinctly and unequivocally. India presented the way for a constructive debate and equitable and just solutions at the forum," Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav wrote in a blog piece.
"Fossil fuels and their use have enabled parts of the world to attain high levels of growth. Even now, developed countries have not completely phased out coal," he wrote. It goes without stating that it was encouraging to see the US, Turkey, Colombia, Indonesia, Australia, and Japan support the 'text', which would mean a significant shift from their earlier stand.
Watering down text on coal is indicative of the gap in financing and technology transfer -something that developed countries will need to focus on moving forward. However, US climate chief John Kerry said the Glasgow deal is "not the finish line for climate change… what we need is to live pollution free."
The changed draft on coal is the first-ever mention of coal 'phase down' in an international climate paper and signals markets and industry. Thus, it indicates the energy transformation process.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the high-level segment on the first day of the COP26, and the 'mantra' LIFE–Lifestyle for Environment–to the world, Yadav said: "India has maintained that the current climate crisis has been precipitated by unsustainable lifestyles and wasteful consumption patterns mainly in the developed countries. The world needs to awaken to this reality."
"As I conclude my engagements at COP26 and return home, India is hopeful that the world will rise to the urgency of the climate crisis facing us and that alone will ensure we have real actions to save our planet for the future generations," Environment Minister Yadav said.
"I am happy to note that we achieved some remarkable results in terms of climate finance issues including a work program on a new collective quantified goal, support for enhanced transparency framework for developing countries, Article 6 rule book, adaptation and common timeframe, at the COP26 negotiations," he wrote.
