Nature under stress of historical, disproportionate GHG emissions by developed countries: India at COP15

India once again highlighted the issue of historical Greenhouse Gas Emissions by developed countries by talking about it at the U.N. biodiversity conference in Canada. The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav said that nature is under the stress of historical, disproportionate GHG emissions by developed countries while delivering India’s National Statement at the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Montreal, Canada.

“When nature itself is under stress because of the historical disproportionate and iniquitous GHG emissions of the developed countries, Nature-based solutions to global warming and other environmental challenges are not an answer without resolute action by developed countries to measure up to their historical and current responsibilities,” the Indian Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change said. 

India stated that nature-based solutions to global warming and other environmental challenges cannot be an answer unless resolute action by developed nations as nature cannot protect itself if it is not protected. 

“Nature cannot protect if it is not itself protected. Nature is the victim of global warming, and its protective features can do little against unchecked temperature rise,” the Minister said. 

India also stressed on the fact that the Global Biodiversity Framework must be framed in the light of science and equity, and the sovereign right of nations over their resources, as provided for in the Convention on Biodiversity. 

“If climate is profoundly linked to biodiversity, then the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities must equally apply to biodiversity.” Yadav further said. 

Global target for pesticide reduction unnecessary

A numerical global target for pesticide reduction is unnecessary and must be left to countries to decide, India further said at the COP15. 

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that agriculture is the source of life, livelihood, and culture for millions of Indians, and support to vulnerable sections cannot be called subsidies and targeted for elimination while they may be rationalized. 

The EU nations are pitching for the elimination of farm subsidies, on the grounds that it is harmful to biodiversity. It is a key component of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) expected to be finalized during COP15.

India on track to meet its commitments in terms of Aichi targets 

The Union Minister said that India’s balance sheet in implementing the Aichi Targets is proactive and forward-looking and the country is on track to meet its commitments. At the 2010 COP10, around 200 countries pledged to protect at least 17 percent of their terrestrial environments and inland water, and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas by 2020 as part of the Aichi Targets. 

Yadav said that despite India being home to 17% of the global population, but only 2.4% of the land area and only 4% of its water resources, the country is forging ahead in its efforts to protect biodiversity.

“Our forest and tree cover is steadily rising together with our wildlife population. Definitive steps are being taken to return the iconic cheetah to Indian habitats,” he added.

“India has taken a quantum jump in the number of declared Ramsar sites to the current figure of 75. As a large developing country, our forest policy is challenging to implement, but our forest surveys are testimony to its success,” said Mr. Yadav.

“India has taken numerous steps to keep Invasive Alien Species at bay. But a numerical target is not feasible without the necessary baseline and relevant scientific evidence,” the Minister further said. 

Finance gap for biodiversity conservation

Touching on the point that there is a big financial gap in terms of the planned biodiversity conservation, the Union Minister said that the only source of funding remains the Global Environment Facility that caters to multiple Conventions.

“The increased expectations through these targets call for matching means of implementation, especially through public finance. The provision of the means of implementation must match our ambition,” the Minister said. 

“The value of biodiversity to humankind also lies in its economic dimension alongside the cultural and social. Sustainable use and access and benefit sharing are key to promoting biodiversity, alongside the efforts to conserve, protect and restore,” the Minister added. 

The Union Minister highlighted the fact that modern technologies, especially information technology, can assist in achieving goals, and hence the Digital Sequencing Information must be linked to access and benefit sharing in a just and fair manner.

“What is needed today is Mindful and Deliberate Utilization, instead of Mindless and Destructive Consumption,” he further said.