21-Nov-2022: Cites Cop-19: Huge Relief to Handicraft Exporters of India
The 19th meeting of the Conference of Parties to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) is being held in the scenic city of Panama from 14th to 25th of November 2022.
Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) is included in Appendix II of the convention, thereby requiring to follow CITES regulations for the trade of the species. As of now every consignment of weight above 10 kg requires CITES permit. Due to this restriction exports of furniture and handicrafts made of Dalbergia sissoo from India has been continuously falling from an estimated 1000 crore Indian Rupees (~129 million USD) per annum before the listing, to 500-600 crore Indian Rupees (~64 to 77 million USD) per annum after the listing. The decrease in exports of Dalbergia sissoo products has affected the livelihoods of around 50,000 artisans who work with the species.
On India’s initiative a proposal to clarify the quantity of Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) items such as furniture and artefacts was considered in the current meeting. After sustained deliberations by Indian representatives, it was agreed upon that any number of Dalbergia sissoo timber-based items can be exported as a single consignment in a shipment without CITES permits if the weight of each individual item of this consignment is less than 10 kg. Further, it was agreed that for net weight of each item only timber will be considered and any other item used in the product like metal etc. will be ignored. This is a great relief for the Indian artisans and furniture industry.
Background: It may be recalled that in its 17th meeting of Conference of Parties (CoP) at Johannesburg, South Africa in 2016, included all species of Genus Dalbergia in Appendix II of the convention, thereby requiring to follow CITES regulations for the trade of the species. In India, the species Dalbergia sissoo (North Indian Rosewood or Shisham) is found in abundance and is not treated as an endangered species. During the discussion it was duly acknowledged by the parties that Dalbergia sissoo was not at all a threatened species. However, concerns were expressed regarding the challenges in distinguishing different species of Dalbergia in their finished forms. The countries expressed that there was an urgent need for developing advanced technological tools for distinguishing the finished wood of Dalbergia, especially at the Customs point. Considering this aspect and in the absence of a clear technology for distinguishing the finished wood, the CoP did not agree to de-list the Species from CITES Appendix: II. However, the relief given in terms of weight of each item will solve the problem of Indian artisan communities to a great extent and will give a tremendous boost to exports of articles produced by them.
17-Nov-2022: 4th Edition of Indian Chemicals Council (ICC) Sustainability Conclave inaugurated today at New Delhi
Secretary Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals Shri Arun Baroka inaugurated 4th edition of Indian Chemicals Council (ICC) Sustainability Conclave on the theme of ‘boardrooms to Community-ESG, Carbon Neutrality, Operational Safety, Greener Solutions’ today at New Delhi.
The two-day event promotes sustainability in the management of the entire life cycle of chemicals. It is being organized jointly with United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) with due support of Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
Addressing the inaugural session, Shri Arun Baroka expressed confidence that the thoughts presented in the conclave will provide great takeaways. He commended the ICC for the conclave on sustainability. Shri Baroka also stated that India has already discussed the issues of climate and sustainability and we should work for achieving the goals ourselves without waiting for any assistance from outside.
The Secretary also touched upon the initiatives of the government such as PLI schemes, Government’s working with Industries and creating ‘Ease of doing business’ environment. He added that the government is trying to do whatever is possible and feedback is always welcome.
Talking about safety and standards, Shri Baroka said that small steps of safety are important for sustainable development. He said that one accident can create a problem for humans, Industry and the environment so steps for safety should be taken.
Chief, Chemicals & Health Branch, UNEP Ms. Jacqueline Alvarez stated that it is not just about pollution and chemicals but we are talking about life, social development and economic sustainable growth here. She further stated that we are talking about incentives, alternatives not just legacies but future. She added ‘Be ambitious, think globally and act locally’.
Various speakers expressed their views on climate, sustainable development and the steps that could be taken in this direction.
Mr. Ashwin C Shroff, Chairman and MD, Excel Industries Ltd, Mr. Nitin Desai, Chairman, Governing Council TERI, Mr. Bimal L Goculdas, President, ICC and MD & CEO, DMCC Speciality Chemicals Ltd. CEOs and representatives of the Indian and global chemical companies, people working in EHS dept. in companies; Central and State Government officials, Pollution Control Boards, international multilateral organizations, Global chemical industry bodies and experts from Academia and civil society organizations are participating in the event.
21-Oct-2022: Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate change participated in Ministerial Meeting of Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC)
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav participated in the virtual Ministerial Meeting of the Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) titled ‘Preparations for COP 27 on Climate Change – Expectations and Challenges’ on Friday 21st October 2022.
The Union Minister highlighted the challenges arising out of climate change being faced in the year gone by. He pointed out that the unmistakable imprint of global warming can be seen in the numerous extreme weather events and natural disasters in several regions of all continents. He impressed upon the urgency of climate action on the participating countries.
Shri. Yadav spoke up in support of the Egyptian Presidency for COP27, as a LMDC friend and partner-nation. He appreciated that COP 27 is rightfully christened the “COP of Implementation.” He particularly welcomed this stating that the widening gap between the pledges made at COP26 by the developed countries and the actions taken in response was more than evident to the World at large.
Mr. Yadav expressed his disappointment about the developed countries having turned back to enhanced use of fossil fuel, and urged that the cumulative emissions of every country or carbon budget partaken, must be within their fair and equitable share.
The Union Minister encouraged the LMDC colleagues to step forward at COP27, to support the Egyptian Presidency, prepare a plan of action in respect of adaptation and loss and damage, the two issues at the centre of all developing nations’ attention.
He also expressed regret on the ever-unfulfilled goal of mobilization of USD 100 billion per year. He said that the developed countries must be asked to show the roadmap on achieving this. On the matter of climate finance, he also clearly stated that the definition of climate finance must be determined.
The Union Minister emphatically stated that the Work Programme on Enhanced Ambition in Mitigation and Implementation, cannot be allowed to change the goals of the Paris Agreement. Instead, under the Work Programme best practices, new technologies and new modes of collaboration for technology transfer and the capacity building may be discussed.
He referred to the implementation mechanisms under the Paris Agreement such as the global stocktake, the second periodic review, the provision of updating Parties nationally determined contributions and submission of Parties’ long-term low emissions development strategies, must be allowed to play their due role. He stated that these are important agenda, with a futuristic perspective and must be dealt with in a balanced way, based in Equity and CBDR-RC, and these founding principles of climate change need to be elaborated more clearly, in the decisions of COP 27.
Shri. Yadav, requested all countries to join the movement for L.I. F. E, Lifestyle for the Environment, a pro-people and pro-planet effort, that seeks to shift the world from mindless and wasteful consumption to mindful and deliberate utilization of natural resources. He informed the LMDC that the LiFE Mission was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 20th October, 2022. The Prime Minister was joined by the UN Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres at the launch.
The Ministerial meeting was hosted by the Plurinational State of Bolivia ahead of the upcoming 27th Climate Change Conference of Parties, to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt from November 6 to November 18, 2022. A joint-ministerial statement was endorsed by the LMDC Ministers during the meeting. LMDC comprises of around 18 developing countries from Asia and other regions.