The G20 Bharat & Environment law, Assessing Commitments Progress & Accountability

The G20 Bharat & Environment law, Assessing Commitments Progress & Accountability

         

                                                        

 Author:- Sourav Bucha (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies)

The G20, comprising the world's major economies, wields immense influence over global policy and economics. The group has recognized the pressing need to address environmental challenges through robust legal frameworks in recent years. The G20 Environment and Climate Ministers, met in person in Chennai on the 28th of July 2023, to reemphasize the importance of achieving the objectives of the three Rio Conventions, and urgently accelerate our actions to address environmental crises and challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, desertification, deforestation, water quality/ availability/ accessibility, land, and ocean degradation, and to mainstream and scale up complementarities in this regard. This topic delves into the realm of "The G20 Bharat & Environment Law: Assessing Commitments, Progress, and Accountability.

Commitments & challenges to Environmental Protection: - 

• The G20 leaders agreed to pursue tripling renewable energy capacity globally by 2030 and accepted the need to phase down unabated coal power

• The G20 summit in India 2023 focused on the theme, 'One Earth, One Family, One Future, which affirms the value of humans, animals, and the environment

• The G20 leaders committed to implementing the G20 2023 Action Plan to Accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals

• The G20 summit in India in 2023 recognized the macroeconomic risks stemming from climate change and transition pathways

• The summit saw 100% consensus around the New Delhi Declaration, which includes commitments to sustainable development, climate change, and global economic governance.

• Years of cascading challenges and crises have reversed gains in the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• The summit showcased India's growing power but also exposed the limits of its foreign policy

• The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact were also a major challenge faced by the G20 leaders.

As the G20 summit unfolds in India, it presents an opportune moment to reevaluate the global commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development. India's unique environmental challenges, such as air pollution and water scarcity, can serve as a focal point for discussions on best practices and innovative solutions.

In addition to evaluating progress and enhancing accountability, the summit can also be a platform for fostering international cooperation on emerging environmental issues, such as plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and the conservation of critical ecosystems. Furthermore, the G20 nations can explore ways to leverage their collective economic power to incentivize sustainable practices and investments. This could involve promoting green finance, supporting clean energy transitions, and fostering technology sharing.

The G20 2023 summit in India provides a critical juncture for assessing commitments, progress, and accountability in the realm of environmental law. As the world grapples with urgent environmental challenges, the G20 nations must demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding the planet for future generations. India, as the host, has a unique opportunity to drive these discussions and chart a path towards a more sustainable and responsible global future. The success of the summit will not only be measured by economic outcomes but also by the strides made in protecting the environment and upholding the principles of environmental law.