Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav participated in the BRICS High-Level Meeting held virtually yesterday. Speaking at the BRICS High-Level Meeting on Climate Change, the Minister highlighted the relevance of the forum to jointly address climate change, explore approaches to accelerate low-carbon and resilient transition, and achieve sustainable recovery and development.
The BRICS High-Level Meeting was chaired by Chinese Minister for Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu and was attended by Environment Ministers of BRICS nations including Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa.
Mr Yadav in his address underscored India’s commitment to strong climate action including the promotion of sustainable lifestyles based on mindful consumption and reduction of waste. He informed the BRICS Ministers that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi how India is leading by example today by taking several robust steps in the field of renewable energy, sustainable habitats, creation of carbon sinks through additional forest and tree cover, transition to sustainable transport, e-mobility and mobilizing the private sector to make climate commitments.
The Environment Minister mentioned how India has progressively continued decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions. Mr. Yadav mentioned that ambitious implementation of climate actions by developing countries is contingent on the ambitious and adequate delivery of climate finance, technology transfer, and other implementation support, as mandated by the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. He expressed optimism toward the delivery of the climate finance as per the Glasgow decision and the Climate Finance Delivery Plan released by the COP-26 Presidency.
BRICS Environment Ministers expressed commitment to strengthen collaboration on climate change and broaden and deepen the contents of cooperation. The countries also agreed to carry out policy exchanges and cooperation in areas of environment and climate change. A Joint Statement was also issued on the occasion.
