Role Of G20 In Environment: Policies vs. Implementation

Abstract:

The G20, a pivotal international economic collaboration platform, discussed diverse issues during India's 2023 presidency, focusing on the theme 'One Earth, One Family, One Future.' Despite significant discussions on environmental priorities, challenges persist. The circular economy initiative, RECEIC, aims to promote sustainability but faces skepticism regarding enforceability without a specific governing body. The "blue economy" principles emphasize responsible ocean resource use, yet their effectiveness hinges on strict implementation. Energy transition discussions lack clarity on concrete actions. While G20's focus on climate change highlights urgency, the absence of consensus raises doubts about the discussions' impact. The need for tangible actions following dialogues is emphasized, urging member states to implement policies for a sustainable and resilient future amid global climate challenges.

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Introduction

The Group of Twenty (G20) serves as a crucial platform for international economic collaboration, exerting a pivotal influence on the global framework and governance regarding major economic issues. Initially concentrated on broad macroeconomic concerns, the G20 has broadened its scope to encompass various areas such as trade, climate change, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, and anti-corruption. In 2023, the G20 will center its efforts around the theme 'One Earth, One Family, One Future,' emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living entities on Earth and in the broader cosmos. Marking a historic moment, India will host the G20 Leaders' Summit for the first time in September 2023, with a record 43 Heads of Delegations participating. India's presidency, grounded in democratic principles and multilateralism, signifies a significant step towards seeking practical global solutions for the collective benefit and embodies the concept of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," portraying the world as one family.

Now, let us look into India's G20 priorities concerning the subject of the environment. India placed a significant emphasis on addressing climate change, particularly by prioritizing climate finance and technology. The G-20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) and Ministers gathered, culminating in the agreement on the Chennai High-Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue/Ocean-based Economy and many other such issues. However, consensus on climate change was elusive, leading to an unresolved outcome in the environmental meeting. Therefore, it is important to assess whether India's presidency was successful at initiating climate and environment preservation policies among the G20 members.

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Designing a Circular Economy World

The circular economy envisions a sustainable system where materials are continually reused and nature is regenerated. An industry-driven initiative, RECEIC, has been established to globally promote resource efficiency and circular economy practices. Its core objectives include fostering knowledge-sharing, best practices, and sustainability among participating industries. The coalition operates based on three guiding principles: Partnerships for impact, Technology Cooperation, and Finance for scale. RECEIC aims to facilitate company-to-company collaboration, enhance capabilities across sectors, and leverage global experiences to drive on-ground private sector action for resource efficiency and circular economy transition.

The organization serves as an advisor, guiding companies in reducing waste through sustainable practices, minimizing greenhouse emissions, and decreasing dependence on raw materials. While this initiative is commendable and extends beyond India's presidency, there is a need for skepticism regarding its enforceability. The absence of a specific governing body raises concerns about smooth functioning and the potential disregard of advice. This vulnerability may expose RECEIC to lobbying efforts and companies choosing not to adhere to suggested actions and steps.

The concept of "blue economy" involves encouraging the mindful use of ocean resources to stimulate economic growth, improve people's lives, and generate job opportunities, all while ensuring the health of ocean ecosystems.A report named ‘Chennai High-Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue/ocean-based economy was released after the G20 environment and Climate ministers meeting. This report lists nine important principles and these principles help us understand the importance of the ocean and its resources. This principle focuses on dealing with pollution in the oceans and along the coasts, which can come from various sources like plastics, air pollutants, and other harmful substances. It further addresses the problems of overusing marine resources and engaging in illegal activities that harm the ocean. 

In December, countries worldwide agreed on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aiming to significantly reduce the loss of important biodiversity areas by 2030. This includes ecosystems with high ecological value, all while respecting the rights of indigenous people and local communities. The G20 meeting confirmed its commitment to achieving this goal, and G20 ministers recommitted to the Paris Agreement while agreeing on principles for sustainable ocean-based economic activities.

Energy Transitions

The 4th Energy Transitions Working Group meetings (ETWG meetings) were conducted under India’s G20 Presidency. There were detailed discussions on six main areas. These include addressing technology gaps for energy transition, securing low-cost financing, ensuring energy security with diverse supply chains, promoting energy efficiency and responsible consumption, exploring future fuels, and ensuring universal access to clean energy with fair and affordable transmission methods.

In the first meeting, there was an agreement among members that fossil fuels would still be used in most countries for the next two decades to increase the use of renewable energy. In the second meeting, India suggested the idea of a Global Biofuels Alliance, which received widespread support. The third meeting emphasized the importance of providing everyone with access to modern and sustainable energy. The last- fourth marked convergence on hydrogen-related issues.

Conclusion

The theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” summarises India’s G20 presidency in 2023, focusing on critical climate issues. While incredible steps have been taken towards addressing environmental issues, questions can be asked when one assesses the discussions critically. The G20’s focus on climate change makes the urgency of environmental actions very evident, however, the lack of any agreement or consensus on the same makes one suspicious about the effectiveness of the discussions. The conferences need to be followed by concrete actions that will help our planet in reality. 

The establishment of RECEIC for promoting sustainable practices is a good initiative yet there are questions about its enforceability as the lack of a specific governing body challenges its ability to reach its goals. The blue economy principles outline offers a comprehensive approach to ocean-based activities; however, they will be not useful unless these principles are implemented strictly. Energy transition and discussions around it lack clarity on the concrete actions required to be performed, only resembling ambitious goals with almost no clear path to achieve them.

In the end, while crucial dialogues have taken place in G20 2023, the member states must be vigilant in implementing the policies suggested and raised. Discussions are very helpful to raise awareness about crucial issues in the public but actions to solve these issues and ensure a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future are required at this stage of climate change.

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References:

• G-20 Summit 2023: Macroeconomic Impacts of RBI&Rsquo;S CBDC and Its Use Cases Is Priority, Will Be Discussed in the Coming Days, 2022

• Mishra & Manhas

• “G20 Environment Meeting Ends Without an Agreement on Climate Change; Outcome Document Stresses on Sustainable Blue Economy,” 2023

• Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC), 2023

• Chennai High Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue/Ocean-Based Economy, 2023

• G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, 2023

• 4th G20 Energy Transition Working Group Meeting, G20 Ministerial Meeting, 14th Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting and 8th Mission Innovation Meetings to Be Held in Goa During July 19 – 22, 2023, n.d.

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*This article is authored by Niranjani & Tanisha Parkhey, Students of Symbiosis Law School, Noida and reviewed by Agam Tandon, Student of Symbiosis Law School, Noida.