This is the first time that coal has been explicitly mentioned in any COP decision
In the recently concluded COP26 meet on climate change, the developed world as usual was harping on stopping use of coal and subsidies on fossil fuel ignoring the ground realities of the developing world that faces challenges of meeting the energy needs of developmental works and reduction of poverty. However, thanks to India and other developing nation the final agreement toned down the words and pledged to only reduce the use of coal and fossil fuel. As per the Paris agreement the developed world was supposed to provide $100 billion annually by the year 2020 to the developing countries to meet their targets of adaptation and mitigation. The new technologies and innovative attempts require finances and unless it is done it will be a pipe dream to achieve targets. The Glasgow declaration is weak on promises especially on loss and damages though the developed countries now agreed to provide the 100 billion dollars by 2023. In reality, if the net-zero emission targets are to be achieved by 2050 to 2070 at least $500 billion annually would be needed. Further, because of the intransigence of the developed world the scope for opening of adequate space for carbon trade is still an issue. The developed world had failed to recognize and accept their historical responsibility for emissions in the past and on the contrary in each COP they pressurise the developing world to opt for impractical conditions. Thus, the question of equity and differential responsibility always gets side lined in these negotiations. From the Indian side there were some positive declarations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on how Indian proposes to achieve the net-zero emissions by 2070. He announced the 'Panchamrit' concept while delivering the National Statement. The PM said the first agenda was to raise the non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity of the country to 500 GW by 2030. On mitigation,COP26 asks the countries to prop up their climate action plan for 2030 by next year and also propose to hold ministers' meetings to raise the ambitions (as it says!) of climate action plan for 2030.
It asked the countries to to reduce usage of coal as a source of fuel, and abolish "inefficient" subsidies on fossil fuels. It called for a phase-down of coal, and phase-out of fossil fuels. This is the first time that coal has been explicitly mentioned in any COP decision. It also led to a big fracas at the end, with a group of countries led by India and China forcing an amendment to replace the word "phase-out" in relation to coal with "phase-down". On adaptation, it asked the developed countries to at least double the money being provided for adaptation by 2025 from the 2019 levels. The Paris agreement had been good for mitigation goals but silent on adaptation goals. Unlike mitigation efforts that bring global benefits, the benefits from adaptation are local or regional. On the insistence of developing countries this declaration has proposed a two-year programme to define global goal on adaptation. For loss and damages, it has been agreed to establish a dialogue on the insistence of developing countries. The carbon market vanished after the end of Kyoto Protocol. The Glasgow Pact has offered some reprieve to the developing nations. It has allowed these carbon credits to be used in meeting countries' first Nationally Determined Contributions till 2025. The climate change targets can only be met if the developed world accepts the reality and stops dilly-dallying. The Prime Minister and environment minister of need to take innovative actions to achieve the targets of net-zero emission by 2070. At the country level we need to integrate and converge the development process with ecological sustainability.
(The writer is Chairman of Centre for Resource Management and Environment. The views expressed are personal.)