The government has decided to set up a strategic advice group of experts on 'equity' in climate change negotiations. The group will advice the government on how to fashion its position in the post-Durban climate talks this year.
It will consist of officials and experts from various ministries and also some specialists from outside the officialdom, sources said.
At the Durban talks in last December, India had been able to ensure that the new climate regime envisaged post-2020 would be done under the existing UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Now, preparations are on to ensure that equity is discussed in this year's talks under the Bali Action Plan.
The issue, which was glossed over and got diluted with implicit acceptance from India, found its way back on the table in Durban with New Delhi making it central to its negotiations and BASIC countries along with key developing countries supporting it in various degrees. With official workshops under the UN aegis planned during the year on equity, India would have to make strategic and detailed interventions to get a resolution on the trenchant subject.
The BASIC countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China – are expected to meet in mid-February in India to firm up their strategy before the deadline to make submissions to the UN. By February-end, the countries are required to make their submissions on the contours of the discussions of the Durban Platform, which will lead to a post-2020 global regime.
India was one of the most critical players in finalizing the decision for the platform and ensuring that the decision on the 'legal character' of the new regime is not watertight even before the content is finalized. New Delhi is expected to elaborate on this in its submission, but it is also expected to coordinate closely with other three BASIC countries, especially China
