Interaction with Minister Prakash Javadekar

In wake of Tsunami of COVID19 Indian Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar has not forgotten yet another Tsunami that is waiting in the wing to take over the world by yet another disaster of planetary proportion. His Keynote speech in the webinar organized by TERRE Policy Centre on the occasion of the Earth Day 2020 on 22 April, now called as Pune Climate Dialogue, was stark reminder of that impending crises.

I felt that his another speech also delivered 5 days later via video on 27^th April in the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, organised by Germany in association with UK (President of next Conference of Parties ) and participated by 30 countries, had a similar tone as his interaction during the webinar of the Earth Day. Here below are the highlights:

In Pune Climate Dialogue on the Earth Day of 22 April, Prakash Javadekar, India's Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change set the tone for Petersberg Climate Dialogue through his interaction with nearly 350 climate experts, students and enthusiast. He interacted with the participants through webinar organised by TERRE Policy Centre, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and MIT World Peace University of Pune. It took place as webinar and was part of the series on Impact of COVID19 on Sustainable Development Goals.

The Petersberg Climate Dialogue (PCD) was launched in 2010 at the initiative of Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and is named after the venue of the first meeting. It is believed to be resurrection of the fatally failed climate negotiations in Copenhagen in 2009. The PCD's goal is to re-create a space for close and constructive exchanges among climate ministers. 11^th PCD took place on 27^th and 28^th April also through video conferencing . Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and UN Secretary-General António Guterres also took part in the meeting.

In his keynote speech lasting 20 minutes on the Earth Day webinar of Pune Climate Dialogue , Minister highlighted positive environmental consequences against deadly consequences we are suffering from COVID19. He pointed out that the messages are clear from COVID19. Firstly, having experienced blue skies, clean rivers and massive reduction in emissions it is proved beyond doubt that it is our life style that is responsible for unsustainable and indiscriminate consumption. Secondly, we are simply not willing to work together as evident from the broken promises given in United Nations Climate Negotiations on finances and technology transfer. He reminded that it is because of Prime Minister Modi's initiative the preamble of Paris Climate Agreement introduced lifestyle change and climate justice as two levers that can help in our climate negotiations. During the interaction that lasted for another 20 minutes, participants asked if COVID 19 would impact on the India's commitment to Paris climate agreement. Minister stated that India is right on track to fulfil the pledges given in Paris climate agreement ( called as Nationally Determined Contribution-NDCs) . But pledges given by the developed world are far from met, including financial commitment which now has accumulated to USD one trillion. The negotiating principle of common but differentiated responsibility (CBDR) has not been respected. He, in reply to another question, stated that he would not romanticise the blue skies and clean earth as a result of lockdown. After all we are nation of 130 Crore people and we need industry and business. But the balanced and holistic approaches are must to move towards sustainable development. That's how present government's policies are moving towards.

11^th meeting of PCD held by video conferencing concluded. India along with 30 countries deliberated on issues of Climate Change. It was first ever virtual Petersburg Climate Dialogue. It was presided over by Alok Sharma, UK's Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, serving as the President of 26^th Conference of Parties (COP26) . COP26 was to beheld in Glasgow, UK but now postponed to 2021, due to COVID19. Sharma stated that there is need to explore opportunities for stronger cooperation to meet the shared challenge of climate. "Working together, we can certainly make faster progress" he stated and echoed what India's UNION Minister stated in webinar of Pune Climate Dialogue.

Union Minister Javadekar in separate video message to PCD stated that we should have climate technology as open source which must be available at affordable cost.Stressing on the issue of climate finance, he advocated"Developed countries must plan for 1 trillion USD in grants to developing world immediately". Expressing solidarity with the world as it combats the COVID 19 pandemic the Union Minister highlighted how COVID – 19 has taught us that we can survive on less. The world must think of adopting more sustainable consumption patterns in line with requirement of sustainable lifestyles, as was first mooted by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.

It was suggested that Pune Climate Dialogue would now be held annually with the UnionMinister before every COPs. END