The principles will “act as a guiding framework internationally to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and resilient blue economy,” according to environment minister Bhupender Yadav.
Even though the group was unable to reach agreement on critical issues relating to climate mitigation, the two-day G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) and Environment and Climate ministers meeting that ended on Friday did adopt a number of “Chennai High-Level Principles” for a sustainable and resilient blue economy, or ocean-based economy.
The approval of nine principles, according to officials at the environment ministry, would not only aid in the conservation of ocean biodiversity but will also address the effects of climate change on ocean-based industries in the G20.
Bhupender Yadav, the environment minister, stated in a series of tweets that following the conference, the principles will “act as a guiding framework internationally to promote the transition to a sustainable and resilient blue economy.”
“In a historic decision, the G20 Members adopted the Outcome Document on the ‘Chennai High-Level Principles on Sustainable and Resilient Blue/Ocean-based Economy’. It shall serve as a guiding framework globally to drive the transition to a sustainable and resilient blue economy,” Yadav tweeted.
The term “blue economy” refers to the promotion of the wise use of marine resources for job creation, improved livelihoods, and economic growth while safeguarding the health of marine ecosystems.
“The leaders attending the meet in Chennai thanked India’s Presidency for its efforts in developing the compendiums of best practices, technical documents and technical studies. A total of 10 Presidency documents were launched under the identified priority areas of Land and Biodiversity, Blue Economy, Water Resource Management and Circular Economy,” he added.
The final paper, which HT saw, states that one of the nine principles established by the group was giving priority to ocean health. The main components of this principle are addressing coastal and marine pollution from all sources, including unsustainable exploitation and illegal activities that harm the marine environment, as well as air pollution and other persistent pollutants, including those derived from the maritime sector.
Also, the committee resolved to recognise and discuss the connections between the ocean and climate. According to the bloc, this will encourage ocean-based economies to recognise the connections between the ocean and the climate, as well as the opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and preparing for them by protecting, using sustainably, and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems. It will also encourage research on the safe and effective use of ocean-based carbon dioxide removal and sequestration.
The summit also voted to support socioeconomic justice, intergenerational equity, and gender equality. According to the document, “Transparent and inclusive approaches are important for empowering women and communities, as well as Indigenous Peoples, to fully and effectively participate in the planning, decision-making, and implementation processes through appropriate skill development and benefit from the economic opportunities provided by the sustainable Blue/Ocean-based Economy.
A senior environment ministry official, who did not wish to be named, said: “All nine principles are focused on conserving the oceans from the impact of climate crisis, such as sea level rise and ocean acidification, and protecting marine biodiversity. This is a major leap forward and a great success because these measures also help us in addressing climate change.”
The result paper expressed support for the worldwide “30 by 30” objective with regard to land degradation.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which aims to close the loss of ecosystems with high biological integrity by 2030 while protecting the rights of indigenous people and local communities, was accepted by nations all over the world in December.
“We reiterate, in line with the KMGBF, the commitments, by 2030, to ensure that at least 30 per cent of areas of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine and coastal ecosystems are under effective restoration and to ensure and enable that at least 30 percent of terrestrial and inland water areas, and of marine and coastal areas are effectively conserved and managed, while ensuring that any sustainable use, where appropriate in such areas, is fully consistent with conservation outcomes, and urge others to do the same,” the document said.
The G20 would also concentrate on rehabilitating lands that had been damaged by mining operations and places affected by forest fires or wildfires, where practical and acceptable.
“We note the importance of the remediation of degraded mining lands and the science-based restoration of their ecosystems which is necessary to address environmental degradation.
