Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav delivered India’s National Statement at the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Montreal, Canada Shri Yadav said: “Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, We all recognize that credible action is a source of strength and optimism in addressing all global challenges, including biodiversity. Despite India having 17 percent of the world’s population, but only 2.4 percent of the land area and only 4 percent of its water resources, we continue our efforts forward.
Our forest and tree cover continues to grow along with our wildlife population. Definitive steps are being taken to return the iconic cheetah to Indian habitats. India has taken a quantum leap in the number of declared Ramsar sites to the current seventy-five. As a large developing country, the implementation of our forest policy is challenging, but our forestry surveys testify to its success.
India’s record in implementing the Aichi Goals is proactive and forward-looking, and India is well on its way to meeting its commitments. Likewise, our agriculture, as for other developing countries, is a source of life, livelihood and culture for hundreds of millions. Such essential support to vulnerable sections cannot be called subsidies and targeted elimination, although they may be rationalized. Biodiversity must be supported by positive investments.
Similarly, a numerical global target for pesticide reduction is unnecessary and must be left to the discretion of countries. India has taken a number of steps to keep invasive alien species at bay. However, the numerical target is not feasible without the necessary basic and relevant scientific evidence.
Excellency, A global biodiversity framework must be framed in light of science and justice and the sovereign right of nations to their resources as set out in the Convention on Biological Diversity. If climate is deeply linked to biodiversity, then the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities must equally apply to biodiversity. When nature itself is under pressure due to historical disproportionate and inequitable emissions of greenhouse gases from developed countries, natural solutions to global warming and other environmental problems are not the answer without decisive action by developed countries to meet their historical and current responsibilities.
Nature cannot protect unless it is itself protected. Nature is a victim of global warming and its protective elements can do little against the uncontrolled increase in temperature. We can’t just conserve, conserve and restore. We must also promote sustainable use and it is in this context that the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, has made a clear call for the creation of a people’s movement for LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment, which was launched on 20 October 2022 in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat in the presence of the UN Secretary General. General Mr. Antonio Guterres assumes importance.
Excellency, The provision of means for implementation must correspond to our ambitions. The MDGs had 8 targets, the SDGs have 17 targets, the Aichi Biodiversity Targets were 20 and the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) may have 23 targets. The increased expectations resulting from these objectives require adequate means of implementation, especially through public finances. Our only source of funding remains the Global Environment Facility, which takes care of multiple conventions.
The value of biological diversity for humanity also lies in its economic dimension in addition to the cultural and social. Sustainable use and access and benefit sharing are key to promoting biodiversity alongside conservation, protection and restoration efforts. Modern technology, especially information technology, can help our goals. Therefore, digital sequencing information must be linked to access and benefit sharing in a fair and equitable manner.
Excellency, India looks forward to fruitful negotiations that will preserve and expand our natural heritage given to us by our forefathers and traditions. We are only stewards of planet Earth and it is our bounden duty to further enrich the rich biodiversity of Mother Earth, restore her pristine glory and pass it on to the next generation for the benefit of one and all – humanity, nature and all life forms. .
Again, what is needed today is mindful and intentional use, instead of mindless and destructive consumption. It is in this context that our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the LiFE Mission, a mass movement towards an eco-conscious lifestyle. If we accept this, let us move forward towards a just and sustainable world by implementing the core principles of CBD, both in letter and in spirit. It is this spirit that has been so truthfully captured in the logo of India’s G20 presidency which calls for one world, one family or ॥वसुधृव कुतुम्बकम्॥॥ Jai Hind!!”
