Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the sole head of state attending the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) Summit in Dubai, made significant proposals, including India's aspiration to host COP33 in 2028. Pledging India's commitment to combat climate change, PM Modi highlighted the nation's aims, such as reducing emission intensity by 45% by 2030 and increasing non-fossil fuel usage to 50%.
In his address at the United Nations' World Climate Action Summit, PM Modi unveiled India's plans to work on alternative fuel sources like hydrogen while proposing a Green Credit Initiative, advocating for proactive measures for the planet's well-being.
Describing India as a blend of economy and ecology, Modi expressed India's ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. Amidst an action-packed schedule, the Prime Minister is set to deliver multiple speeches, participate in initiatives, and hold bilateral meetings with various world leaders during his 21-hour visit to Dubai.
The summit, graced by other world leaders like Britain’s King Charles III, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan, aims to address pressing environmental concerns, including financing climate efforts and revamping multi-development banks.
What Exactly is COP28?
COP, short for Conference of the Parties under the UNFCCC, convenes 197 countries annually to collectively address the global climate emergency. The 28th iteration, held in Dubai, marks a crucial step in evaluating countries' progress in curbing global warming, a process known as the global stocktake.
Under the Paris Climate Agreement, nations are obliged to regularly assess their climate goals, with COP28 being the first to evaluate how far off they are from achieving these objectives. This assessment will determine the need for more ambitious policies and financial contributions to support clean energy adoption in developing countries.
Early U.N. assessments indicate that current emission reduction plans are insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, with estimations suggesting a rise of at least 2.5 degrees Celsius. This signals the urgent need for stronger policies and actions to align with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement goals.
Prior to the stocktake, disputes among countries persist on the scope of future plans, including commitments to phase out fossil fuels, cease investments in new coal plants, and triple renewable energy capacity. The outcome of the stocktake could be contentious, with differing opinions on whether to pressure wealthy nations or focus on specific sectors for enhanced climate action.
The stocktake is anticipated to set the stage for global climate action over the next few years, revealing progress made and the collective steps required to address the climate crisis.