India Champions Ecosystem-Based Climate Action at G20 Meeting

India reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development and ecosystem-based approaches at the G20 Climate and Environmental Sustainability Working Group Ministerial Meeting in Cape Town. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasized participatory implementation, landscape-level conservation, and cautioned against the commodification of biodiversity. India welcomed global recognition of land restoration as both an ecological and economic opportunity. The country proposed a ‘G20 Knowledge and Solution Exchange Platform’ to share best practices and stressed voluntary, flexible standards that prioritize women, youth, and smallholder farmers. On chemicals, waste, and circular economy initiatives, India highlighted its extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks as scalable solutions. Yadav called for globally voluntary, nationally determined approaches to chemical management, warning against prescriptive standards that could burden SMEs and developing nations. Regarding climate change, air quality, and marine sustainability, India urged integrating climate action with development priorities under the CBDR-RC principle. It supported marine spatial planning, voluntary efforts to manage discarded fishing gear, and equitable decarbonization of marine transport while protecting small-scale fishers’ livelihoods.