'Consensus calls for urgent action based on national circumstances'

India is satisfied with the outcome of COP28 in Dubai, Union environment minister, Bhupender Yadav who represented India at the negotiations said. The UAE Consensus has identified and upheld that all transitions, globally, depend on national circumstances and the climate contributions of countries under the Paris Agreement are nationally determined in nature, Yadav added in an interview to Jayashree Nandi, where he also spoke about Para 28 of the UAE Consensus which refers to pathways through which the 1.5-degree goal can be met like tripling of renewable energy globally by 2030 and transitioning away from fossil fuels. Edited excerpts:

- Jayashree Nandi

HT INTERVIEW - BHUPENDER YADAV, UNION ENVIRONMENT MINISTER

How does the UAE Consensus affect India? How will it help us transition?

The agreement has avowed its commitment to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty. More importantly, it has factored in India’s position that climate action must be based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), in the light of different national circumstances. The UAE Consensus has identified and upheld that all transitions, globally, depend on national circumstances and climate contributions under the Paris Agreement are nationally-determined.

Speaking at the COP Summit during a Session on ‘Transforming Climate Finance’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined that all countries of the Global South, including India, have contributed little to climate change. At COP28, India emphasized the importance of promoting equity and leveraging requisite actions and support in the future pathways for tackling the climate crisis.