The recent G20 Environment Ministers Meeting (EMM), under the presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has led to a series of global initiatives aimed at reducing land degradation and launching a coral reef program. Additionally, two documents on climate change – specifically managing emissions and adaptations – have been introduced under the direction of G20 in 2020.
Combatting Land Degradation
The Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation focuses on fortifying the implementation of existing frameworks to prevent, halt, and reverse land degradation within the countries of G20. The Scientific Conceptual Framework for Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), developed by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), ensures a scientific backing for understanding, implementing, and monitoring land degradation.
Furthermore, this initiative also strives to consider potential impacts on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, predominantly SDG-13 (Climate Action), SDG-14 (Life below Water), SDG-15 (Life on Land). It stresses on the philosophy of doing no harm.
Global Coral Reef Program
The creation of the Global Coral Reef Research and Development Accelerator Platform represents an innovative, action-oriented strategy designed to spur a worldwide research and development programme. This program is oriented towards enhancing research, innovation, and capacity building in all aspects of coral reef conservation, restoration, and adaptation.
The efforts to limit the global average temperature and attempts to further limit the temperature increase, in line with the Paris Agreement, are seen as the only hope for the survival of coral reefs globally.
India’s Commitment
In the context of these global initiatives, India has declared its intention to improve coral reef conservation through the National Coastal Mission Programme. The proposed mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) will address the effects of climate change on coasts and marine ecosystems, including all stages of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project.
India is also putting substantial efforts towards attaining land degradation neutrality and working towards global climate change mitigation and adaptation. Various government schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card Scheme, and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, are being utilized to counter land degradation.
Paris Agreement: A Global Step
The Paris Agreement was adopted by 195 parties at the UN climate conference “COP 21” in Paris in 2015, aimed at reducing hazardous greenhouse gas emissions. Its objective is to prevent an increase in global average temperature and keep it well below 2 degrees Celsius. According to this agreement, global GHG emissions must fall by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to circumvent the worst impacts of climate change.
In support of this agreement, all G20 members, excluding the USA, have expressed their commitment to its full implementation.
The G20: An Overview
The G20 is an informal group consisting of 19 countries and the European Union, with representations from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Operating as a forum, rather than an organization, it doesn’t have any permanent secretariat or management structure. Its members include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, USA, and the EU.
Last Modified: February 9, 2024