The article highlights G-7 countries’ emphasis on adoption of net-zero emission target and its implications for India.

Shifting responsibility to developing countries

• The Cornwall G7 summit sought to re-establish a common purpose among the richest democracies of the world.
• The G7 agreed “collectively” to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 and called on “all countries, in particular, major emitting economies” to join as part of global efforts.
• And, ODA (official development assistance) has been made contingent on net-zero emissions by 2050 and deep cuts in emissions in the 2020s.
• G7 made an equal effort to shift the responsibility to the large developing countries.
• However, “common and differentiated responsibilities” is the agreed guiding principle for tackling climate change.
• Differentiation underscores the responsibility of the industrialised countries to lead.

India’s climate actions

• India has been a leading stakeholder in climate action and is among the few in the G20 in line to meet their commitments under the Paris Accord.
• It has also taken on a most ambitious target of 450 GW of renewable power by 2030.
• India has shown the world the way forward on solar power with producers now offering ultra-competitive tariffs.

India’s concerns

• Coal was particularly in the eye of the G7 which stressed “that international investments in unabated coal must stop now” .
•  India, that continues to rely on coal, could face a crunch in assistance in thermal power.
• BASIC, comprising India, China, Brazil and South Africa, has so far led the efforts of large developing countries in climate negotiations.
• But with possible differences of opinion on net zero, BASIC’s clout in future global negotiations is questionable.

Way forward

• Finance and technology are the key areas where the industrialised West can and must lead.
• The collective developed countries’ commitment of $ 100 billion per year was made in Copenhagen in 2009 and is nowhere near being reached.
• A smallish sum of $2 billion was committed by G7 to accelerating the transition from coal.
• For India, with its huge developmental needs and global high-table aspirations that require carbon and policy spaces, the imperative is strong diplomatic partnerships with large developing economies that have an inherent interest in GREEN-Growth with Renewable Energy, Entrepreneurship and Nature.

Conclusion

India, which has huge developmental needs and global high-table aspirations that require carbon and policy spaces, must protect its interests.

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