Globally, many countries recorded August 2023 as one of the hottest months. While some nations reported August to be the hottest in a century, some others noted it to be warmer in some decades.

Even in India, we recorded higher-than-normal temperatures. Many states and regions recorded explicit climate change. The high-terrain states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh were reeling under cloud bursts, heavy rains, landslides… The devastation continues. On the other hand, states like Kerala or Maharashtra, which should have been receiving monsoon showers, recorded very few monsoon showers. To the extent that Kerala was forced to sign more PPAs (the state meets 90% of its supply from hydro) for supply from other states.

In this context, India’s presidency at the G20 was keenly watched event. Climate action topped the agenda. Held in New Delhi on 9-10 September 2023, with ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (One Earth, One Family and One Future) as a theme, the leaders discussed steps to accelerate action to tackle climate change. The cooperation of G20 members plays a critical role in shaping the way forward.

It is an open fact now — the cascading effects have reversed the progress made in the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). No doubt, the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to increase, adversely affecting lives and livelihoods. As per reports by the UN, globally, challenges like poverty and inequality, climate change, pandemics and conflicts disproportionately affect women, children and the most vulnerable.

In the document released after the G20 meeting, the G20 Leaders agreed to take concrete action through partnerships.

They committed to 12 major points, of which I list the primary 5.

• Accelerate the full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Pursue low-GHG/low-carbon emissions, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable development. We will urgently promote Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE) and conserve biodiversity, forests and oceans.
• Scale up financing from all sources to accelerate progress on SDGs.
• Accelerate efforts and enhance resources towards achieving the Paris Agreement, including its temperature goal.
• Close gender gaps and promote women’s full, equal, effective and meaningful participation in the economy as decision-makers.

I want to draw your attention to the officially released document. It elaborately touches upon the criticality of the energy transition, circularity, climate financing, the need to battle plastic pollution, the adoption of technology and gender equality. The document highlighted the role of private entities and corporations in climate action.

The document paves the way for concrete action. It lays down principles and opens avenues for partnerships. This means the time for action is NOW. Start ACTING. I would love these concluded points to turn into actions immediately. In my opinion, we have crossed the tipping point…. We are on the slide; the disaster can swallow us in a fraction of a second.

The pledge is taken. Promises made. Act NOW