Indian and British experts to discuss climate action in key sectors, ahead of COP26

Strategies to fast-track electric mobility, nature-based solutions, green finance and adaptation and resilience to be discussed between government, business and civil society representatives from both countries. The four-day online series from December 1-4, 2020 will be hosted by TERI, in partnership with British High Commission, New Delhi.

New Delhi, 27 November 2020: Speaking ahead of the four-day deliberations, Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, TERI said, "The immediate climate action pathways that the world needs by 2030 cannot be delivered by governments alone. Ahead of COP26, we are happy to collaborate with the British High Commission, India to bring together a wide circle of stakeholders, to discuss systemic transformations within key Indian sectors. This series of high-level dialogues will encourage synergy and build momentum in India on climate resilience, ecosystems management, electric mobility, and green finance."

The COP 26 Webinar Series is being convened by TERI, in the run up to its annual global conference, the World Sustainable Development Summit, scheduled from Feb 10-12, 2021.

In line with themes of COP26 to be held in November 2021, the webinar series is part of the UK’s inclusive approach to its COP26 Presidency, to ensure all voices are heard and to test ideas for action. It will delve into the action needed to keep the Paris process on and how to engage stakeholders in this climate action agenda and build a clean and resilient recovery from COVID-19 challenges. Over the course of four days, discussions will focus on the following themes:

• The future of clean transport for clean and resilient economic recovery through an e-mobility revolution in India
• Mobilizing private green finance at scale for global climate actions - in developing countries as a whole and in India
• The potential of nature-based solutions to enhance livelihood benefits and ecosystem services as well as to reduce emissions and store carbon
• Building adaptation and resilience of communities, economies and environments, through integrated socio-economic and ecological systems

The 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) is scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland from 1-12 November 2021 under the presidency of the UK Government. Postponed by one year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, COP26 will bring countries together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The UK is working with all stakeholders in government civil society, businesses and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP 26. The webinar series will precede a Climate Ambition Summit 2020 on December 12th, hosted by the UK COP26 Presidency with the UN and France, in partnership with Chile and Italy. The Summit will be an important milestone on the road to COP26 for leaders across the world including India to demonstrate new ambitious action, and their commitment to the Paris process.

Ms Jan Thompson, UK Acting High Commissioner to India, said: "India is a key partner for the UK and our COP26 Presidency in tackling climate change. As we mark one year to go until COP26, we’re happy to be working with TERI and other partners to seek ideas and encourage action to address climate change and navigate a clean, green and resilient recovery to the current global pandemic."

Key speakers at the webinar series include:

• Ms Jan Thompson, British Deputy High Commissioner
• Mr Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog
• Mr Ken O’Flaherty, Regional COP26 Ambassador for Asia-Pacific and South Asia, Government of UK
• Ms Natalie Toms, Economic Counsellor, British High Commission
• Ms Andrea Ledward, Director of International Biodiversity and Climate, Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom
• Mr Sandeep Poundrik, Director General, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
• Dr V B Mathur, Chairman, National Biodiversity Authority
• Dr Alka Bhargav, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Mr Prasad Gadkari, Executive Director and Chief Strategy Office, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)

To join the COP26 Webinar Series from December 1-4, please register via following link: http://52.76.109.165/webinar/webinar_bhc_register.php?w_id=V0VCSU5BUl81Mg==.
Watch YouTube livestream at 3:30 pm (IST) here: https://bit.ly/3fwhwIA

About TERI

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is an independent, multi-dimensional organisation, with capabilities in research, policy, consultancy and implementation. It has pioneered conversations and action in the energy, environment, climate change, and sustainability space for over four decades.

The institute's research and research-based solutions have had a transformative impact on industry and communities. Headquartered in New Delhi, it has regional centres and campuses in Gurugram, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Mumbai, Panaji, and Nainital, supported by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, sociologists, economists and engineers, and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

For further information, contact:
TERI – Dhawal Trivedi: dhawal.trivedi@teri.res.in
Edelman – Rakhi Aurora: rakhi.aurora@edelman.com
UK in India – Srijan Prabhakar: srijan.prabhakar1@fcdo.gov.uk