Imperative for G20 countries to collectively address the interrelated matters of climate change and biodiversity loss through joint international efforts: Kapil Moreshwar Patil – EQ Mag

“The impacts of degrading biodiversity and environment are becoming increasingly apparent globally, presenting significant obstacles to preserving development progress and promoting well-being and prosperity. It is therefore imperative for G20 countries to collectively address the interrelated matters of climate change and biodiversity loss through joint international efforts. India’s G20 Presidency is committed to be inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented” said Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil. He was presenting the inaugural address on the second day of the third meeting of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG).

Shri. Kapil Moreshwar Patil appreciated the hard work done by the ECSWG in the area of climate change and environment issues. He congratulated the Working Group on the success of the Mega Beach Clean Up Event and meaningful discussion on the Ocean 20 Dialogue. He said the ECSWG has been working actively towards meaningful outcomes across its identified thematic priorities and aims to forge a successful communique that is consensus driven.

Pointing to the importance of involving rural communities in protecting the environment the Minister  said, “To attain sustainable development, it is crucial, that we focus not only on the urban centers but also on the well-being and progress of our rural communities. Rural areas, with heavy reliance on agriculture are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Changing rainfall patterns, droughts and water scarcity, heatwaves and extreme temperatures and increased extreme weather events have posed serious challenges to the livelihood, food security and overall well-being of the rural communities. Living in harmony with nature has been the way of life in the rural and non-urban areas. India is traditionally known to practice a sustainable Life-style as a nation. Keeping in tune with this tradition, our Panchayati Raj institutions are actively engaged in promoting renewable energy projects as well as involving rural communities in activities like afforestation drives, waste management, and conservation of water resources to foster a sense of environmental stewardship among citizens. In this regard, it is important to mention that the Ministry of Local Self Government i.e Ministry of Panchayati Raj  is anchoring the process of Localization of Sustainable Development Goals or LSDG’s in Local Self institutions i.e Panchayati Raj Institutions. To this end, it has been our endeavour to bring together different stakeholder at one forum in a ‘Whole-of-Government’ & ‘Whole-of-Society’ approach.” He stated Vibrant Village Assemblies initiative and the Revamped Incentivization of Panchayats as illustrative examples of the same.

The Minister concluded by stating that the quest to ensure a secure future for the planet requires collaboration amongst nations. Evoking the theme for India’s G20 Presidency, he said , “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – One earth, one family, one future, corroborates the above with an intention to collectively address such challenges. India looks forward to the support of participating countries and organizations in achieving success through the initiatives being taken up by the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group.”

In her opening remarks for the day, Ms. Leena Nandan, G20 India Chair and Secretary, MoEFCC expressed her gratitude to the delegates for engaging actively in the first two ECSWG meetings as well as multiple rounds of virtual consultations in the interim. With a steadfast resolve of being collaborative and inclusive, she shared that a series of Focus Group Discussions had been conducted by the Indian Presidency, over the past three weeks across all the three thematic priorities, where the outcome documents were discussed line-by-line. Further, she appreciated the deep involvement and commitment of all G20 members for the same and added that their participation had followed a constructive process across the Presidency and made the discussions so far fruitful. She urged the G20 countries for their continued participation to ensure inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive outcomes as the Working Group moves closer towards the last leg of the proceedings under the India Presidency.

The ECSWG has placed a consensus driven approach at the heart of its modus operandi. Appraising the delegates on the draft Ministerial Communique, Ms. Nandan shared that moving through the various stages through the ECSWG meetings, the current meeting is crucial for the process of further aligning on the Communique and other thematic outcome documents commences will need to be undertaken. She also took this opportunity to run a quick recapitulation of the progress made thus far on the thematic priorities and requested the countries to align themselves on the outcomes for the thematic priorities.

Later at the end of day two, Ms. Leena Nandan, also addressed a press conference to brief the media.  During the conference she stated, “The ECSWG is committed to facilitating tangible outcomes that will build a good foundation before the baton is passed on to the next Presidency. The discussions held during the ECSWG meetings are expected to contribute to the G20 Leader’s Summit to be held later this year.”