G20 ECSWG Meeting Tackles Environmental Crime and Land Degradation

Johannesburg, Jul 15 (PTI) - Key topics such as environmental crime and land degradation were central at the recent G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting in South Africa. This event, held last Monday at Skukuza, within the renowned Kruger National Park, serves as part of a series preceding the G20 Summit of Heads of State, set for November, under South Africa's presidency.

Addressing Global Challenges - “Poverty, unemployment, hunger, inequality, environmental degradation, and climate change are among the daunting and interconnected global challenges,” highlighted Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment, Narend Singh. He noted the urgency, as the deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals is less than five years away. Yet, significant gaps remain in reaching these objectives and action targets.

Singh pointed out deteriorating poverty levels, rising pollution from hazardous chemicals, and record-high greenhouse gas emissions. He urged G20 countries for an intensified collective effort, acknowledging that all are impacted by these issues. He emphasized the complexities and interdependencies of these challenges and called for enhanced reforms and cooperation in light of shifting geopolitics.

Expanding Priorities - Singh elaborated that the ECSWG's priorities have expanded from five to six, separating climate change and air quality into distinct areas. Draft technical papers covering these six priorities and their outcomes were presented at the meeting.

For biodiversity and conservation, the first priority, Singh discussed the exchange of experiences concerning national biodiversity strategies. He underscored the G20's significant role in reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, aiming for a 'nature-positive world' benefitting both people and the planet.

Singh also stressed the imperative of tackling environmental crime, outlining risks like illegal logging and poaching, especially in countries with abundant natural resources. He called for a unified G20 stance to counteract these threats.

Focus on Land and Chemical Management - The second priority deals with land degradation, desertification, and water sustainability. Singh mentioned the necessity of concurrent actions for land degradation neutrality, including land conservation, sustainable land management, and restoration of degraded lands.

The management of chemicals and waste, another priority, includes pushing for the creation of an international treaty against plastic pollution, aligned with the United Nations Environment Assembly's 2022 resolution.

Climate Change and Air Quality - Climate change is a priority area, with focus areas extending to just transitions, adaptation, resilience, and loss mitigation. This encompasses low-carbon economic development and additional co-benefits. Singh noted that increasing climate finance is a key objective of South Africa's G20 presidency.

Further priorities include improving air quality and addressing the urgent need for marine spatial planning within the context of oceans and coasts, which is essential for protecting communities and infrastructure from extreme weather linked to climate change.

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