India Contributing to Climate Action with the Urgency It Demands: Bhupender Yadav

On Friday, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav reaffirmed India’s steadfast dedication to addressing climate change with the immediacy it necessitates, even though the nation has played a minor role in the climate crisis thus far. This commitment was articulated during the inaugural ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’, a global dialogue focusing on climate change and its impact on mountainous regions.

The minister highlighted that the global carbon budget is swiftly being exhausted, with developed nations disproportionately depleting the limited resources that remain. This budget represents the total amount of carbon dioxide that can be released into the atmosphere while keeping the average global temperature rise since the industrial era below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Yadav pointed out that affluent countries have largely overlooked their pledges to provide climate finance, technology transfers, and capacity building, exacerbating the climate crisis — a burden they bear significantly more responsibility for. He emphasized that the dialogue should serve as more than just a platform for discussion; it is a clarion call for collective and determined action.

Under the forward-thinking leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is not only committed to but also actively participating in climate action with the requisite urgency, said Yadav, despite its minimal contribution to the ongoing crisis. The country is implementing sustainable practices as an integral part of its developmental strategy, guided by Mission LiFE, an initiative promoting the mindful and sustainable utilization of natural resources.

Recognizing the disproportionate impact on the Himalayas, Yadav asserted, “We in India, with our significant Himalayan territory, observe these effects directly. We share the concerns of mountain states and their communities, and our environmental futures are intrinsically linked.” However, he urged that these futures also depend upon the collective efforts of all countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, following the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

Despite hosting nearly a quarter of the world’s population, South Asia has contributed merely 4 percent to global cumulative carbon dioxide emissions up until 2020. Yadav expressed optimism that this dialogue would foster stronger scientific collaboration on climate issues in mountainous regions, enhance climate resilience, and ensure consistent and predictable climate financing for mountain nations.

He further emphasized India’s commitment to partnering with Nepal and other Himalayan countries, as well as engaging with global allies on this urgent issue. Additionally, he highlighted the ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ campaign under which India has successfully planted 1.42 billion saplings, including 72.1 million trees in the Indian Himalayan Region.

Moreover, the nation has initiated a dedicated national mission for sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and improving disaster preparedness. Through these efforts, India showcases its determination to not only discuss climate change but to take tangible actions that reflect the urgency the crisis commands.