G20 Delegates in Second Environment Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting at Gandhinagar

Massnews Bureau
New Delhi, April 03

G20 Delegates in Second Environment Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting at Gandhinagar discuss key issues pertaining to identified priorities with emphasis on developing inclusive, action-oriented outcomes
Integrated approach essential for recognizing key role of water resource conservation and sustainable development to ensure adequate water allocation both in terms of quality and quantity
The second day of the 2nd Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting commenced at Gandhinagar, Gujarat with the opening remarks by G20 Co-chair for India, Ms. Richa Sharma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.  Speaking on the occasion, she emphasised on the need to collaborate with the G20 countries and engage in an inclusive, consensus driven approach and actions to address climate change.
She expressed her gratitude to the delegates for their active involvement in the first ECSWG meeting and the Focus Group Discussions between the two working Group meetings on the three thematic priorities.  She reaffirmed India’s commitment to facilitate tangible outcomes to build a strong foundation before passing on the baton to the Brazil Presidency Acknowledging the work of past Presidencies and the deliberations on the three priorities during the 1st ECSWG, Ms. Sharma highlighted the importance of receiving inputs during the technical sessions which would help shape the outcomes for each priority. She further expressed that consistent and enthusiastic participation from all delegates will greatly facilitate the process of finalizing the draft Communique. The representatives from the Troika (Indonesia and Brazil) echoed the Co-Chair’s remarks on the expected outcomes from the G20 India Presidency.
The inaugural session was followed by the first technical session of the day on Water Resource Management, led by Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Special Secretary, Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti. The presentations made during the session  highlighted the need for efficient management of water resources to achieve the overarching UN Sustainable Development Goals and also addressed global water challenges such as climate change, population growth, and increasing water demand.
hematic presentations were also made on Namami Gange -an integrated Conservation Mission to accomplish effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of Ganga, climate resilient infrastructure – water storage/ Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (DRIP), participatory ground water management, Jal Jeevan mission – a project to provide safe and adequate drinking water by 2024 to all households in rural India,  and Swachh Bharat – the project on Universalization of Water Sanitation & Hygiene and its effects. These presentations further corroborated the ever-demanding need of such initiatives to address the depleting level of ground water at an alarming rate. The G20 countries expressed their concerns on the subject , following are some of the key suggestions from the participants:
• Jal Jeevan Mission & other Indian interventions were highly appreciated.
• The role of cooperation at all possible levels is key in effective Water Resource Management (WRM).
• Common understanding of water and groundwater and integrating principles of sustainable development in implementation of WRM is critical.
• Indonesia will be hosting World Water Forum in 2024 and importance of the same for water cooperation was highlighted.
• An integrated approach is essential for recognizing the key role of water resource conservation and sustainable development, to ensure adequate water allocation both in terms of quality and quantity.
• Interventions in Monitoring and evaluation of water ecosystem are important.
• Strong legal and policy instruments are necessary towards regulation and implementation of strategies in WRM.
• Technology, cooperation and joint research are crucial for successful WRM.
• Safeguard measures for vital ecosystem may be promoted.
• The role of communities in implementing WRM measures like Human right to water, sound sanitation, and access to clean water, Green recovery plans covering water as a resource etc is crucial.
• Sustainable  national water strategy needs to be developed.