INDIA @COP 28

Published on 23 Feb 2025

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly known as COP28, was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Key Outcomes

• Global Stocktake Text: Aims to limit warming to 1.5°C by:

• Tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030.

• Doubling global energy efficiency improvements by 2030.

• Substantially reducing methane emissions by 2030.

• Fossil Fuel Transition: Agreement to move away from fossil fuels by 2050, but lacks specifics.

• Global Goal on Adaptation: Increased focus on adaptation for developing countries, with:

• Doubling of adaptation finance.

• Plans for assessments and monitoring of adaptation needs.

• Explicit 2030 targets for water security, ecosystem restoration, and health.

• Climate Finance:

• New collective quantified goal for climate finance to be set before 2025.

• Minimum of $100 billion per year by wealthy nations.

• Breakdown: $250 billion for mitigation, $100 billion for adaptation, $150 billion for loss and damage.

• Loss and Damage Fund: Established to financially assist developing countries impacted by climate change (US$800 million pledged initially).

• Increased Renewables & Efficiency:

• Global pledge to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.

• Global pledge to double energy efficiency improvement rates by 2030.

• Other Initiatives:

• Global Cooling Pledge to reduce cooling-related emissions by 68% by 2050.

• Declaration to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050 (separate initiative).

India’s Engagements at COP28

• Green Credit Initiative: This program incentivizes voluntary actions to combat climate change by issuing "Green Credits" for planting trees on degraded lands and river areas.

• Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT 2.0): India plays a lead role in this group's second phase, focusing on inclusive and fair industry transition for all countries, joint development and sharing of low-carbon technologies, financial support for developing economies transitioning to clean industries.

• Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA): Launched by India, the GRCA promotes sustainable development and climate resilience in cities along rivers. This platform facilitates knowledge sharing between cities, "Twinning" programs between cities facing similar river-related challenges, spreading best practices in river management.

• Quad Climate Working Group (QCWG) on Localised Climate Action: India participated in this group's event, highlighting the importance of local communities and regional governments in promoting sustainable lifestyles.

Key Concerns 

• Fossil Fuel Phase-out: The agreement lacks concrete plans, using vague terms like "transitioning away" without timelines or targets for phasing out fossil fuels.

• Renewable Energy & Efficiency Targets: The global target to triple renewable energy capacity and double efficiency improvements by 2030 doesn't specify individual country commitments, raising concerns about achieving the overall goal.

• Adaptation Funding: Developing countries find the adaptation goals insufficient. The agreement lacks clear mechanisms for achieving these goals and securing the necessary funding.

• Climate Finance Transparency: Varying methodologies and potential double-counting of climate finance data make it difficult to accurately assess actual financial flows.

• Coal Phase-down: Resistance from India, China, and others blocked a proposal requiring new coal plants to have carbon capture technology.

• Methane Emission Cuts: The agreement encourages reducing methane emissions, but concerns exist about its impact on agriculture in countries like India.

Way Ahead

• Boost & Integrate Climate Finance: Increase funding and integrate it into national development plans.

• Strengthen NDCs with Roadmaps: Set ambitious climate goals with clear timelines.

• Support with Laws & Capacity: Enact supportive climate legislation and build implementation skills.

• Facilitate Global Cooperation: Share knowledge and technology across countries.

Tags:
Geography

Keywords:
INDIA COP 28 India’s Engagements at COP28 Key Concerns of COP28 COP@27

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Physical Geography