The 22nd meeting of BASIC countries in New Delhi that concluded on Thursday called upon the developed nations to honour their commitments of providing $100 billion every year by 2020. The Ministers of the participating countries pointed out that Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) should be country driven, adding to pre-2020 commitments in Paris Summit on cutting down green house emissions.
This was the first meeting of the BASIC countries, including Brazil, South Africa, India and China, after the Paris climate change conference in December last.
Addressing a Press conference after the meet, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said, “$100 billion mobilisation is essential feature of Paris agreement. We hope that in next four years, developed world will stand by its commitment and make all-out efforts to mobilise it.”
The two-day meeting was attended by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, Special Representative for climate change of China HE Xie Zhenhua, Under secretary-general for the environment, energy, science and technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil Antonio Marcondes and Chief Director, International Climate Change Relations and Negotiations of South Africa Maesela Kekana.
“Adaptation, means of implementation, finance, capacity building...All are important aspects of the Paris agreement and we must build on it so that the global community feels that Paris has succeeded and world is walking to achieve the target...,” said the joint statement released by the Ministers on the occasion.
Regarding INDC, the Ministers reflected on the importance of adaptation and means of implementation as key elements of efforts of the respective countries under the Paris agreement.
The Ministers have also expressed their will to initiate “necessary domestic processes for ratification, acceptance or approval as soon as possible to facilitate timely entry into force of the agreement while urging other countries to do so as well.” While stressing on the differentiated obligations in mitigation actions of developed and developing countries, the BASIC countries also emphasised that developed nations should continue to take the lead.
Javadekar said that efforts are being made by BASIC countries and other developing nations in tackling climate change, both pre-and post-2020. He emphasised that these represent far more ambitious efforts compared to their respective responsibilities and capabilities.
The Ministers welcomed the setting up of the Paris Committee, a new institutional mechanism for enhancing capacity building activities in developing countries and urged developed countries to provide financial support for the same.