The 49th G7 Summit recently convened, with member countries outlining crucial steps in their climate action plan in response to ongoing studies that indicate deteriorating climate conditions. They underscored the urgent need for immediate action. Simultaneously, the Indian Prime Minister commemorated Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy by unveiling his bust in Hiroshima, Japan. The Quad Leaders’ Summit also took place alongside the G7 Summit, focusing on shared democratic values, strategic interests, and initiatives for the Indo-Pacific region.
The Main Climate Wishlist of the G7
In a bid to tackle climate change, the G7 has highlighted the need for global emissions to peak by 2025 and has called for an end to fossil fuel use. Despite not setting a specific deadline, the group has committed to speeding up the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels in line with the 1.5-degree Celsius trajectories. The G7 aims to terminate inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2025 and are urging other major economies to reach net-zero status by 2050.
Challenges in Implementing the G7 Climate Wishlist
Implementing the G7’s climate wishlist is not without its hurdles. Firstly, the G7 countries, which account for 20% of global emissions, have failed to fulfill their climate pledges effectively. Secondly, there is considerable criticism regarding the group’s ongoing reliance on fossil fuels. Lastly, there’s an insufficient provision of climate finance to developing nations, hindering their ability to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Significance of India’s Prime Minister Unveiling Gandhi’s Bust in Hiroshima
Unveiling Mahatma Gandhi’s bust in Hiroshima serves as a tribute to his principles of non-violence, peace, justice, and human dignity. The gesture symbolizes the joint commitment of the G7 and its partners to prevent nuclear disasters and pursue disarmament. Additionally, it acknowledges the resilience of the Hibakusha, the survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
Outcomes of the Quad Leaders’ Summit
The Quad Leaders’ Summit, held on May 23, 2023, reaffirmed the commitment of the member countries — India, the US, Australia, and Japan — towards the Paris Agreement’s implementation. The group announced several initiatives to enhance collaboration on clean energy transition, innovation, adaptation, and resilience.
About the Group of Seven (G7)
The G7 is an intergovernmental organization formed in 1975 that meets annually to discuss shared issues like global economic governance, international security, and energy policy. The countries participating include the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US.
A Brief Overview of QUAD
The Quad is a coalition of four democracies: India, Australia, the US, and Japan. These nations find common ground in their democratic status and shared interests in unhindered maritime trade and security. The idea of Quad was first put forward by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007, but only came into formation in 2017.
Past UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
Here are a few previous questions from the UPSC Civil Services Examination related to the G7 Summit, climate change, and QUAD:
– “The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of…” (2016).
– “With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct?” (2016).
– “In which one of the following groups are all the four countries’ members of G20?” (2020).
– “‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change?” (2017).