The Second G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting concluded in Gandhinagar today with shared views and accordance on outcomes of the priority areas. 

Building on the discussions from the first ESCWG, constructive deliberations among the G20 countries took place on Arresting Land Degradation, Accelerating Ecosystem Restoration and Enriching Biodiversity; Promoting a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Blue Economy and Encouraging Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy. 

The G20 member countries reaffirmed their commitment towards combatting the environment and climate crisis, but with a renewed sense of urgency. All the G20 countries agreed on the pressing need for concerted global efforts and the immediate action required, given the current scenario.  

Sessions on Biodiversity, Land degradation and ecosystem restoration were conducted. The session witnessed engaging deliberations among the delegates on the two priority landscapes identified under India’s Presidency and presentations on the proposed Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap (GIR) and draft publications on the compendium of best practices by experts from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).

The deliberations of draft G20 documents on the four sub-themes –  1)  G20 Knowledge Exchanges in Circular Economy in Steel Sector, 2) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Circular Economy and Circular Bioeconomy, 3) Proposed G20 Resource Efficiency , 4) Circular Economy Industry Coalition