UN Climate Change Conference or COP26 President Alok Sharma began a three-day visit to India for discussions with ministers and leaders from industry and civil society on collaboration on climate action.
With fewer than 100 days to go until the summit, Sharma’s in-person visit represents the UK’s commitment to raise global ambition on climate action for a balanced and inclusive outcome at COP26.
Sharma said: “India has a vital role to play as the world comes together in Glasgow to demonstrate renewed action under the Paris Agreement. India’s leadership, including through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), is hugely important as we look to build global resilience ahead of COP26 and beyond.”
All countries, including the UK and India, have an opportunity to build back greener from the Covid-19 pandemic, and providing climate resilient jobs that also promote economic growth and will lead to a “green industrial revolution that also makes financial sense”, he added.
The UK has called on all G20 countries to sign up to net zero, set out clear plans to cut emissions by 2030, and commit to ending coal power, transitioning to electric vehicles, and restoring nature, with the richest nations providing financial support to the rest of the planet to go green.
The UK and India currently work closely together on issues such as research and innovation for a clean energy transition and to improve global resilience through bodies such as ISA, CDRI and Green Growth Equity Fund.
The UK (Glasgow, Scotland) will host the UN climate change conference in partnership with Italy. The UK is already setting an example on climate action with a legally binding target to cut emissions to net zero by 2050, and it has committed to doubling its international climate finance to at least £11.6 billion over the next five years to help developing countries take action.