Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav addressed the opening ceremony of the G20 Climate and Environmental Sustainability Working Group Ministerial Meeting in South Africa. He emphasized the importance of the G20 acting as a bridge between ambition and implementation, ensuring that every nation’s contribution is respected and every nation’s capacity is enhanced.
Yadav expressed India’s support for ecosystem-based approaches, participatory implementation, and landscape-level conservation models, as proposed in the biodiversity and conservation track. However, he also cautioned against commodifying biodiversity, calling for a deeper examination of the issue. He stressed the need to integrate climate and development while upholding equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities.
The Minister advocated for a whole-of-the-society approach, where pro-planet lifestyle choices of individuals are crucial for achieving meaningful and tangible outcomes. He highlighted the importance of going back to the basics and integrating traditional practices with modern approaches, as emphasized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit last year.
Yadav’s address underscored India’s commitment to addressing environmental and climate change issues while promoting sustainable development. He emphasized the need for collective action and cooperation among nations to address these global challenges. By adopting a holistic approach that respects the contributions and capacities of all nations, the G20 can play a crucial role in bridging the gap between ambition and implementation.
The Minister’s remarks also highlighted the importance of individual actions and lifestyle choices in achieving environmental sustainability. By promoting pro-planet lifestyles and integrating traditional practices with modern approaches, individuals can contribute to meaningful and tangible outcomes. Overall, Yadav’s address emphasized the need for a collaborative and inclusive approach to addressing environmental and climate change issues, and the importance of respecting the contributions and capacities of all nations.