COP 26 and India’s Coal & Air Emergencies in 2021

The United Nations 26th “Conference of the Parties” on Climate Change is named COP 26. It was held recently at Glasgow, Scotland (UK) from 31st Oct to 12th Nov. 21 and organized by Italy and UK jointly. It is also referred as UNFCCC (COP 26), CMA3 (Paris Agreement-2015) and CMP16 (Kyoto Protocol-1997). UK cabinet minister Mr. Alok Sharma was the President of the conference held to deliberate on uniting the world to tackle climate change. It’s Motto being to accelerate positive actions to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and UN framework convention on climate change. Net Zero

Facts & Figures

197 countries deliberated on the emergencies prevailing due to the Warming Planet (Climate Events, Negotiations and Protests).

It was acknowledged that Climate crisis is Children’s crisis.

Governments decided to increase Investments in Climate resilience and adaptation.

Countries pledged to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions drastically. Decision was made to include youngsters in Climate decisions and negotiations. Net Zero timeline year commitments were made.

PM Narendra Modi conveyed that India would reach Net Zero by 2070. China, USA, India are in the following sequence largest CO2 (Carbon) emitters in the world.

India stands 10th in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) globally. Denmark, Sweden Norway leads the way at fourth, fifth and sixth position after first three spots being kept empty.

India is firmly committed to adhere to UN Mission on implementing solid measures to curb climate change by timely balancing growing energy needs and phasing out fossil fuels (Coal, Petroleum, Gas, Bitumens, Tar, and Heavy Oils). India pledges to curtail Green House Gasses by promoting sustainable energy and green electric mobility (EV). India ranks 5th as the most polluted country in the world (world population review) and were third in the Air Quality Index (AQI) in 2020 (IQAir). The average US AQI of India in 2020 was 141 and PM 2.5 concentration is about 10.4 times above WHO annual air quality guideline value. Every responsible citizen should work towards making our neighborhood, city and country a greener, cleaner and healthier place to live.