SCO 2024 Green Development Forum highlights urgent climate action

The Green Development Forum of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries took place on Monday in the coastal city of Qingdao in eastern China’s Shandong province.

Keynote speeches were delivered at the event by high-level representatives of environmental authorities, experts and scientists from the SCO countries.

All countries have committed to becoming carbon neutral and tackling the climate crisis for a better future.

Speaking at the event, SCO Deputy Secretary General Janesh Kain said:

“The world is facing major global challenges, including ecological problems, water resource depletion and waste management issues. According to the latest UN report, a temperature increase of 2.5-2.9°C could lead to more frequent hurricanes, droughts, floods and other natural disasters, seriously threatening people’s livelihoods. There is an urgent need to discuss these issues and develop countermeasures. Protecting biodiversity and implementing comprehensive strategies are crucial. To effectively address these challenges, governments must work together within the UN framework. A unified approach by all countries is essential. This Forum will serve as an effective platform that actively contributes to areas related to the SCO and promotes international cooperation.”

The Green Development Forum comprised a main event and three parallel sub-forums: “SCO Year of Ecology 2024”, “Technological Innovation for Green and High-Quality Development” and “Climate Action for a Green and Low-Carbon Transition”.

This event is considered an important part of the SCO framework aimed at addressing the global challenges of climate change and promoting sustainable development through national and regional cooperation in green development.

India’s net zero emissions target

India is an emerging economy where greenhouse gas emissions will rise as it achieves its development and poverty reduction goals, albeit from a low base. It is worth noting that India’s historical cumulative emissions from 1850 to 2019 are less than 4 percent of the world’s cumulative carbon dioxide emissions from the pre-industrial era, despite India being home to 17 percent of the world’s population. Therefore, India’s responsibility for global warming has been minimal so far and even today its annual per capita emissions are only about one-third of the world average.

India announced its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070 at the 26th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26) in November 2021. In recognition of paragraph 19 of Article 4 of the Paris Agreement, India’s Long-Term Strategy for Low Carbon Development has been submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and reaffirms the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070. India’s Long-Term Strategy for Low Carbon Development is based on the principles of equity and climate justice, and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

The United States, Great Britain, Canada, Japan and other developed countries aim for net zero emissions by 2050. China has committed to achieving net zero by 2060.

Published on: Monday, 08 July 2024, 15:50 IST