India says adaptation key at pre-COP meet

India says adaptation key at pre-COP meet

Indian Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has said at a pre-COP 26 meeting in Milan, Italy, that India will engage constructively at COP 26 and evaluate bridging proposals to conclude the Paris rulebook, which can be done by delivering on the climate finance promises of the developed countries. Addressing the meeting virtually, the minister highlighted that India recognizes the urgency of strong climate action in this decade to ensure that the world is on track to stay within the temperature goal of the Paris agreement, as well as adapt to its impacts, and minimize loss and damage. Mr Yadav said that, therefore, the COP 26 outcome must emphasize the need to plug the ambition gap by delivering the means of implementation support that will allow developing countries to enhance their climate actions. He added that climate change is embedded in India’s development strategy and India has been a frontrunner in taking ambitious climate action. However, India has a large population that is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Hence, adaptation is among the top priorities for our country. Highlighting on the gravity of climate finance, Mr Yadav stated that India strongly believes that COP 26 must initiate the process of