Developing nations have right to choose energy mix: Minister

New Delhi, Nov 24

Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Thursday while addressing the special United Nations Country Team (UNCT) on the key themes and takeaways from COP27, noted that developing countries retain the right to choose their energy mix and in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

He said that just transition is not just an issue for individual countries, it is also about a global just transition. Developed countries taking the lead in climate action is therefore a very important aspect of the global just transition.

"At COP27, there was an agreement to set up a loss and damage fund as part of wider funding arrangements for addressing, averting and minimising loss and damage. The contours of this fund, including its contributors and beneficiaries, would be worked out later in the course of the coming year. India is voluntarily providing support as part of wider south-south cooperation. India bears no responsibility for the climate crisis, but stands in solidarity with the global south on loss and damage issues," the minister said.

"For India, the principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) in the light of national circumstances remains paramount. I urge you to ensure that these foundational principles are respected when you prepare projects for implementation in India," Yadav said further.

The minister however rued the fact that "red-tapism" is the bane of all bureaucracies and I am afraid it does not spare the UN system either. Many reporting requirements under the multilateral environment conventions and treaties are funded through Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects.

I am given to understand that three critical projects on fulfilling reporting requirements under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement have not yet taken off, even one year after its approval by GEF.

He indicated that such delays are strictly avoidable.

"The concerned UN agency may kindly take note, and I request that these projects may definitely be launched in the coming month."