The 4th and last Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group and Environment and Climate Ministers meeting concluded with significant discussions today in Chennai, with consensual adoption of an Outcome document the Chennai High Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue/Ocean-based Economy.
This document will be submitted to the Leaders for their consideration to be annexed to the G20 New Delhi Leader’s Declaration 2023. The Ministers also adopted the Outcome Document and the Chair’s Summary.
The Ministerial meeting, represented by Shri Bhupender Yadav, Hon’ble Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, was attended by 41 Ministers or their deputies from other countries, and highlighted significant achievements and key takeaways centered around the priority areas under the Environment and Climate track: Land and Biodiversity, Blue Economy, Water Resource Management and Circular Economy.
The meeting witnessed proactive engagement from over 225 delegates representing G20 member countries, invitee countries and heads and representatives of 23 International organisations including UNEP, UNFCC, COP28 and UNCCD.
The discussions revolved around critical challenges related to matters of climate and environment which are of utmost global importance.In his video message to the delegates and the Ministers attending the 4th ECSWG and Environment and Climate Ministers meeting, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, expressed his confidence on the G20 countries joining hands to tackle the climate and environmental challenges in a holistic way in the true spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future.
In recognition of the achievements of the priority areas under the ECSWG, the Prime Minister praised the efforts in restoring priority landscapes impacted by forest fires and mining through the Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap and Gandhinagar Information Platform.
Furthermore, he commended the dedication to wildlife conservation displayed during the recent launch of the International Big Cat Alliance. He highlighted the significance of Mission LiFE - Lifestyle for Environment, a movement encouraging individual and collective action for environmental preservation.
The Prime Minister further emphasised on India’s initiatives being powered by people’s participation. Citing an example of community participation, he mentioned about “Mission Amrit Sarovar” , a unique water conservation initiative more than sixty three thousand water bodies have been built.
The opening address by Shri Bhupender Yadav resonated with the message by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. He applauded ECSWG on the adoption of the High Level Principles. He extended his gratitude towards the efforts made, and encouraged the collaboration among nations in tackling the complex and interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, fostering a unified approach towards a sustainable and resilient future.
He thanked each country for showing an unyielding commitment towards climate action and environmental sustainability, despite its unique challenges and capacities.During the course of the Ministerial meeting, the leaders thanked India’s Presidency for its efforts in developing the compendiums of best practices in water management, mining affected areas, and forest fire impacted areas, conducting technical study on ‘Accelerating the transition to a sustainable and resilient blue economy’, and technical documents on important topics like and Knowledge Exchange on Circular Economy in Steel Sector, Extended Producer Responsibility, Circular Bioeconomy.
To strengthen the G20 Global Land Initiative, the Presidency also came up with ‘Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap’ and ‘Gandhinagar Implementation Framework’ for voluntary adoption by G20 members.