LIMA: With countries fine-tuning their positions for the high-level segment of the climate conference, Indian environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday had a bilateral meeting with the US special envoy for climate change Todd Stern where both countries exchanged views on issues concerning adaptation, climate finance and intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs). Javadekar also indicated that the Modi government plans to invest up to $100 billion by 2022 to boost solar power generation.
In his effort to bring clarity on India's action on climate change, the environment minister on Sunday also announced that the government was planning to bring legislations in the next Parliament session to strengthen laws to protect the environment.
Javadekar was addressing a session on 'Barriers to National Climate Action: Lessons from developing countries', organised by the Global Legislators Organisation (GLOBE India) on the sidelines of the ongoing climate conference on Sunday.
The proposed climate legislations will have provisions of keeping air clean through constant monitoring, strict anti-pollution norms for industries and transport sector and increasing forest cover.
It is learnt that the minister will list all such actions - including setting up national adaptation fund, move to bring climate legislations and decision to increase the cess on coal to fund its renewable energy goal - in his formal statement during the high-level segment.
During an hour-long discussion with Stern, Javadekar is learnt to have told the American climate negotiator that India would not announce its peaking year on the lines of China as it was not ready to do so at this stage of its economic development.
Besides, Javadekar also underlined the unease among developing countries about the reluctance shown by rich nations to fulfill their pre-2020 commitment and their poor response to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
"The climate fund must become a reality. From 2012, we were expecting to start with $10 billion every year to reach $100 billion by 2020 and then continue with $100 billion per year. So, that's why we wanted to go ahead. But today it's just $9.95 billion. So, that will be the main point of decision in Lima", said Javadekar, a former president of GLOBE India.
He further said, "There are issues of INDCs. It is major departure from and way forward from 1992, when world decided in Kyoto of which the second commitment period began in 2012. Then, we divided the world into two, annexe and non-annexe. But now things have changed. Everybody realizes the danger of climate change and therefore now the INDC concept suggests that every country will take action and they will declare it".
Seeking to highlight one of India's key agenda, he said, " Our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has announced increased targets for solar power by investing up to 100 billion dollars to boost its share— from 20 GW to 100 GW by 2022".
There are other bilateral meetings lined up for Javadekar before the beginning of the high-level segment on Tuesday. It includes his meeting with ministers of other SAARC countries and BASIC nations including Brazil, South Africa and China.
Though the climate conference is a multilateral forum, countries invariably tend to discuss issues bilaterally before entering into the key negotiation stage during the high-level segment. The idea behind these meetings is to look for a way out in case of a stalemate, taking into account each camp's concerns.
It is learnt that the Indian minister in the next couple of days will also try to reach out to member country of various groups including like minded developing countries (LMDCs) and send out message to other nations about its own ongoing action back home to face the challenge of climate change.
