New Delhi:  Speaking at the closing session of the 22nd World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS), which was hosted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi on Friday, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep S. Puri said that the three crises of food, fertiliser, and fuel continue to be India's main challenges as it assumes the G20 Presidency.

Puri stated that the Panchamrit Action Plan announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 "offer the ambitious response needed to promote the sustainable development agenda," noting that all crises have a strong connection to sustainable development.

"Despite the pandemic, India has remained true to the domestic and international promises we have set. We require a paradigm shift in order to move away from a country-centric approach to climate action on a global scale, "said Puri. Speaking further on the nation's green transition, the Minister said that the goal of blending 20% ethanol into gasoline by 2030 has been increased by five years, and that both the refineries and the private sector are prepared to employ green hydrogen.

In order to make COP28 "a transformational moment," Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), focused on "the three major areas where support and leadership is needed." Delivering a Global Stocktake that is truly revolutionary, he said, is essential.

"The Stocktake, the centrepiece of COP28 and the first time the entire world gathers to assess whether countries are reaching the climate targets set in Paris, is the focus of our effort this year. The outcome of the Global Stocktake, or more especially, the reaction to the Stocktake, will determine the success of COP28 " We are heading for warming of 2.5oC or more, with terrible effects," He said. Withn reference to the second sector that needs support,  he also emphasised the necessity for nations to conform every aspect of their national existence to their Paris pledges.

Stiell stressed the necessity for financial system change to make it suitable for a world that is climate resilient. "Green and climate funding needs to be significantly expanded. Also, in order to free up funds for climate action, we must cut our support for climate-incompatible financing " he added.

Prime Minister of Tunisia Najla Bouden noted that the current international environment is crucial, particularly for developing and least-developed countries, in light of the post-Covid-19 crisis, the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, climate change, and the unprecedented rise in food and energy prices. She added that these are all challenges that could undermine international efforts in the absence of a swift and collective response.

In order to address the climate change problem and keep the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius, Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to India, emphasised the urgent need to act now and quickly. Every single country in the world is already impacted by the climate problem, he continued, even at the present global warming rate of 1.2 degrees Celsius.

Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director-General of The International Solar Alliance, emphasised the necessity of expanding solar capacity by stating that the G20 strategy this year places a strong emphasis on the confluence of sustainable development and climate change. He declared, "We need the G20 to push for solar mini grids as the solution for universal energy access and support it by providing the guarantees needed to attract private sector finance.

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