NEW DELHI: India during its G20 presidency will take forward three key environmental issues — land degradation and biodiversity loss, marine pollution and the need for protection of mangroves and coral reefs, and circular economy and resource efficiency — and try to build consensus among member countries on ways and means to address these concerns as its final outcome.
The three broad themes will be taken up for discussion in the first working group meeting in Bengaluru — the three-day conclave will begin on Thursday. Policymakers of all G20 member countries and 10 guest nations will attend the meeting and brainstorm on the key concerns.

All these issues will be discussed in the four working group meetings over the next five months followed by a ministerial round in Chennai in July. The other three meetings of the working group on environment and climate sustainability track will be held in Gandhinagar, Mumbai and Chennai in March, May and July, respectively.

“The concerns to be discussed in India will become big issues among policymakers globally in future,” said environment minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday while briefing on the upcoming working group meeting.
He said, “India’s G20 presidency aims to bring an integrated, comprehensive and consensus-driven approach to address climate change and pursue sustainable growth ... India will promote LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and a resilient development paradigm for G20.”

Asked whether issues related to climate finance will also be part of discussions at the working group meeting, Leena Nandan, environment secretary, said, “There has to be some discussion, understanding and deeper resolve to address the climate finance requirements and there is a dedicated (sustainable) finance working group for that. Climate finance is a very important aspect that is being deliberated (in that group).”

Nandan, who will chair the three-day meet in Bengaluru, said, “In our working group also, the issues of climate finance will certainly be factored into discussions.”
Land degradation, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, need for protection of mangroves and coral reefs, resource overconsumption and lack of waste absorption are the key environmental concerns which will be addressed in India's G20 presidency, the Union environment ministry said on Monday.
Officials also said the issue of climate finance will be factored in the discussions.

The Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group, one of the 13 working groups under the Sherpa track, will meet four times between February and May.

The first meeting will be held in Bengaluru (February 9-11), the second in Gandhinagar (March 27-29), the third in Mumbai (May 21-23) and the fourth in Chennai (May 26-27).