Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change during the 50th Session of Human Rights Council (13 June – 08 July 2022) delivered by Ms. Jagpreet Kaur, Under Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs

(Geneva, 23 June 2022)

Mr. President,

My delegation takes this opportunity to congratulate the Special Rapporteur on his appointment. We take note of his preliminary report and the thematic priorities that he has identified for the mandate.

Mr. President,

Climate change is a key global challenge that needs our collective attention and action through international cooperation. The principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capabilities, that are part of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, are the cornerstone of any discussion in this regard. The Working group II’s latest IPCC Sixth Assessment Report notes that vulnerability to climate change and the burden of adaptation are highest for those countries who have contributed the least to global warming.

India has taken leadership for ensuring climate justice and equity through international coalitions such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Leadership Group for Industry Transition. We have committed to increasing our non-fossil energy capacity to 500 Giga Watt by 2030 and to achieving the target of Net Zero by 2070. As the world tracks the progress on climate mitigation and raises ambitions on climate action, greater climate finance, technology development and transfer are the need of the hour.

While the Council and its mechanisms must continue to highlight the impact of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights by people globally, they should avoid duplication of deliberations underway in other established mechanisms, such as UNFCCC.

We look forward to the Rapporteur’s forthcoming report on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of mitigation, adaptation and financial action to address climate change.

I thank you.