New Delhi-based think tank outlines key priorities for crucial climate negotiations
With the 28th session of the Conference of Parties (COP) underway in Dubai, the delegation from the New Delhi-based The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has outlined its expectations for the crucial climate negotiations. The delegation emphasized the need for a people-centric approach, progress on long-standing issues of climate finance, and a clear roadmap to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Urgency and Ambitious Outcomes
Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director-General, TERI stressed the heightened significance of COP28 given the current geopolitical landscape and deepening climate crisis. She called for a sense of urgency and ambitious outcomes to address the prevailing climate chaos. “Technology has a pivotal role to play in building resilient economies and communities,” she stated, advocating for incentives to promote clean technologies.
Climate Finance and Global Stocktake
RR Rashmi, Distinguished Fellow, TERI, highlighted the importance of climate finance and the Global Stocktake at COP28. He emphasized the need to bring adaptation financing to the forefront of discussions and ensure ambitious actions by developed nations well before 2030. “The UAE Presidency must ensure that the Global Stocktake process results in quantifiable reporting and robust validation mechanisms,” he added.
Sustainable Cooling and Thermal Comfort
Mr. Sanjay Seth, Senior Director, TERI, underscored the importance of innovative cooling technologies, robust institutional frameworks, and adequate budgetary provisions to achieve sustainable cooling and thermal comfort for all. He cited the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) as an example of India’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to policy initiatives and investments in this area.
Article 6.4 and Global Carbon Credit Market
Dr. Jitendra Vir Sharma, Senior Director, TERI, noted the expected finalization of the mechanism under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, establishing a global carbon credit market. He also anticipated the inclusion of reducing forest degradation under the REDD+ mechanism to compensate forest-dependent communities.
Increasing Ambition and Global Goal on Adaptation
Ms. Suruchi Bhadwal, Senior Fellow, TERI, emphasized the need for a quantifiable and rigorously validated Global Stocktake process. She called for increasing ambition in climate action, including a global goal on adaptation and commensurate financial commitments to developing countries.
Manish Kumar Shrivastava, Associate Director, TERI, stressed the importance of including the work programme on just transition in the core agenda for subsequent COPs. He emphasized the need for an unequivocal call to action to address climate change with a focus on both adaptation and mitigation.
Paradigm Shift in Climate Regime for Adaptation
Dr. Shailly Kedia, Senior Fellow, TERI, highlighted the critical role of the outcome on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) in determining the success of COP28. She advocated for a paradigm shift in the climate regime for adaptation, moving beyond a country-driven approach to a more nuanced focus on human and natural systems.