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'Climate action game-changing for India': UN climate chief on COP-31
UN climate chief Simon Stiell said India will play a crucial role at COP31, citing its rapid renewable energy expansion and leadership on issues.
The upcoming COP-31 in Antalya should emerge as a platform for implementing important climate targets and goals, with India, one of the fastest growing renewable energy players — to play a key role, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) executive secretary Simon Stiell said on Tuesday.
Visiting Delhi as part of a three-day official visit, Stiell, addressing a press briefing, said discussions with the Indian government had so far been fruitful and focused on identifying solutions and addressing challenges for the green transition ahead. “I’ve had very productive talks with ministers and business leaders over the past two days, with more coming up. A constant theme runs through the discussions: Climate action is game-changing for India, its economy and its people,” said Stiell.
“Fossil-fuel-free power now makes up half of India’s installed capacity – a milestone you (India) has hit five years early,” he said.
Stiell called the upcoming COP-31 in Antalya in November the platform to show implementation. “There are still things that need to be negotiated, and there always will be. But there is enough now for us to double down on implementation and, more significantly, on how we move forward on the action agenda," he said.
He further stated, "We need to also start with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the delivery of existing commitments,” highlighting that India will play a key role at COP 31 too.
“India is an important voice within the process, both in terms of its own national representation, but representing many of the concerns for developing countries around the world, so its voice within the negotiations, but also bringing to the table what is being achieved here domestically,” he said.
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Stiell met Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday, alongside officials from the ministries of Environment, Power, External Affairs (MEA), New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and NITI Aayog.
“The discussions have ranged from outlooks to the preparations for COP-31 in terms of expectations, expectations globally, expectations for India and how they will engage within the negotiations. But also, and really interestingly, is to get a deeper understanding of some of the incredible progress that is taking place here in India with regard to its energy transition, its electrification programs, and the rollout, significant rollout of renewables," he added.
Acknowledging the impact of climate-induced global heating, Stiell said it had been devastating, particularly in Asia.
“Monsoon rains are lacking, and El Niño is biting, threatening harvests with failure, and households with rising costs. Clean energy and resilience are vital parts of the solution. As Minister Pralhad Joshi has said, renewables mean lower bills, and greater energy security, which can enhance food security and health,” he stated.
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On the success of COP so far, Stiell said before the Paris Agreement, the trajectory was such that the world would see up to 5°C of warming. A decade on from the Paris Agreement in 2015, this has halved -- to under 2.5°C, which is still far away from the 1.5°C target needed for a livable planet. “So it is clear, based on what has gone before, where we are, that Paris is working and pathways to addressing the climate crisis are being forged. However, much more work needs to be done,” he said.
On the challenges India is facing, Stiell said discussions have revealed that they range across a spectrum, from technical challenges such as grid storage to financing. “Efforts are being made to finance and invest, both in terms of public finance, but also in the areas of private finance, and to support the energy transition,” he said.
