Extending appreciation to the Republic of South Africa for steering the G20 Environment Ministers’ Meeting under the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’, India reiterated its unwavering commitment to collective climate action and equitable growth.
Delivering India’s national statement in Cape Town, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, emphasized that the G20 must serve as a bridge between ambition and implementation, ensuring that every nation’s efforts are respected and capacities strengthened. He called upon member nations to uphold the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, while stressing that finance to developing countries must be viewed as a duty, not an option, since equality is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
As the Paris Agreement marks its 10th anniversary, the Minister highlighted India’s progress in meeting and, in several cases, surpassing its climate goals ahead of schedule, reflecting the country’s resolve to align sustainability with inclusive development. He reaffirmed that India remains a part of the solution, dedicated to building a world that is united in purpose, equal in opportunity, and committed to protecting the planet.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message at the previous G20 Summit, Yadav underscored the importance of integrating traditional wisdom with technological innovation—urging nations to converge ecosystem-based solutions with futuristic technologies. He noted that knowledge sharing, capacity building, and technology co-development and transfer are key enablers of long-term sustainability.
Advocating a ‘whole-of-society’ approach, the Minister underlined that individual behavioural shifts toward pro-planet lifestyles are essential for transformative environmental change. He endorsed the South African Presidency’s holistic, integrated, and people-centric approach as a credible framework for addressing global ecological challenges through solidarity and equitable cooperation.
