By: Ale Griffo
From July 26-28, 2023, a three-day meeting was held in Chennai for the 4th Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) and Environment and Climate Ministers.
Approximately 300 delegates from G20 member countries, invitee countries, and various International Organisations attended to finalize the Ministerial Outcome and Presidency Documents.
During the pre-event media briefing in Chennai, Mr. Bivash Ranjan, ADG, MoEFCC, Mr. Naresh Pal Gangwar, AS, MoEF&CC, and Ms. Richa Sharma, AS, MoEFCC – the theme chairs of the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for land restoration, circular economy, and blue economy, addressed the attendees.
They explained that the 4th ECSWG and Environment and Climate Ministers meeting will be concluded with the G20 Environment and Climate Ministers’ Meeting on Day 3, during which the Outcome and the Presidency documents will be released.
The Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, presided over the Ministerial Meeting, and about 35 Ministers from different countries were in attendance.
The ECSWG meetings and virtual sessions held in May, June, and July have been marked by a wonderful spirit of cooperation and inclusiveness.
Over the course of these gatherings, the attention has been directed towards three key objectives – preventing land degradation, enhancing biodiversity, and accelerating ecosystem restoration; promoting a sustainable and climate-resilient blue economy; and improving resource efficiency and circular economy.
The discussions held during the fourth meeting of the Environmental and Climate Senior Officials Working Group (ECSWG) aimed to identify comprehensive solutions to address the multifaceted challenges of environmental degradation and climate change.
Further deliberations on the outcome documents were scheduled to take place during the event, with a particular focus on the two thematic categories of Environment and Climate.
The discussions were set to conclude at the Environment and Climate Ministers meeting, which was scheduled for July 28th.
The upcoming Ministerial meeting will be featured prominent figures in the climate change field delivering keynote speeches, which will be established a solid basis for the day’s events.
Environment and climate ministers from G20 nations will be engaged in discussions, culminating in the adoption of the High-Level Principles document.
During the 4th ECSWG and Environment and Climate Ministers’ meeting, a significant event took place on the second day.
The launch of the “Resource Efficiency-Circular Economy Industry Coalition” aims to bring together nations, industries, and experts to advance the global circularity agenda.
This initiative is a crucial achievement of the G20 India Presidency, representing a collective effort towards promoting resource efficiency and furthering the principles of circular economy.
The Ministerial meeting featured a cultural event that showcased the rich history and beauty of Tamil Nadu.
The unwavering commitment of the ECSWG towards advancing environmental sustainability is a true reflection of the Indian Presidency’s resolute efforts to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.
