Environment, Climate and Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG):
MoES is Co-chairing the 'Oceans track' under the Environment, Climate and Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) coordinated by MoEF&CC. Three Priority Issues and Deliverables which have been identified are;
1. Arresting Land Degradation, Accelerating Ecosystem Restoration and Enriching Biodiversity
India's priority as G20 president is to address land degradation and work towards restoring ecosystems and increasing biodiversity. This includes reducing the amount of degraded land by 50% by 2040 and promoting sustainable use of land and water resources. India will also focus on financing mechanisms and frontier technologies, such as Payment for Ecosystem Services, to achieve these goals. Additionally, India plans to address the impact of land degradation on over 3 billion people and contribute towards the 2030 Agenda and Green Development Pact, aiming to drive sustainable and resilient water management.
2. Promoting a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Blue Economy
India, as a coastal state and member of the G20, has a responsibility towards ocean sustainability. India has set a goal to develop a blue economy worth $100 billion through its Deep Ocean Mission and ocean resources. India has also proposed an international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution by 2024 and has a domestic ban on single-use plastics to address marine pollution. During India's G20 Presidency, it plans to organize a coordinated beach cleaning activity in G20 countries to raise awareness of the need to combat coastal and marine pollution.
Under this Priority, three sub-themes have been developed, namely:
- Addressing Marine Litter for a Sustainable Blue Economy
- Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning for a sustainable Blue Economy
- Conservation of Marine Ecosystems
The envisaged deliverables of the priority Issue on “Promoting a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Blue Economy” are:
- G20 Principles for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Blue Economy
- Publication of;
- Technical Study on Sustainable and Climate Resilient Blue Economy
- Compendium on best practices in sustainable coastal management in G20
3. Encouraging Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy
In India, there are sincere efforts to adopt sustainable production and consumption practices through resource efficiency and circular economy strategies, including the use of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems. During India's G20 Presidency, it could focus on advancing these solutions and circular economy principles, such as co-developing technologies and pilot projects in sectors like steel.
Two side events are also planned under the 'Oceans' priority area in the Environment, Climate and Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG)
- Convening an ‘Oceans 20 Dialogue’ at Mumbai on May 21 2023
- Mega ‘Beach cleaning event’ in G20 Countries on 21.5.2023
