Global South not responsible for climate challenges, says Piyush Goyal

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal

The nations of Global South are not responsible for the present environmental damage, which has been caused by the developed countries enjoying the benefits of low-cost energy, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal has said.

Addressing the inaugural session of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit 2024 in New Delhi on December 2, Goyal said while each of the partner countries shared responsibilities towards environment and sustainability, the nations present at the summit were not responsible for the damage to the environment.

"Therefore, the responsibilities towards shared supply chains and sustainability will have to be met through common but differentiated responsibility. While all have to work together, everybody needs to be given responsibility based on their contribution to the environmental problem," the minister said.

The minister’s comments come days after acrimonious climate talks in Baku where a $300- billion climate finance plan deal was slammed by developing countries, including India. The money was “abysmally poor” and “paltry”, India said, opposing the deal.

Trade ministers from Italy, Israel, Bhutan, Bahrain, Algeria, Nepal, Senegal, South Africa, Myanmar, Qatar and Cambodia secretary of state for commerce ministry are the CII summit partner countries.

Goyal said that artificial intelligence (AI) and automation would have an impact on the future of employment and skills were required to adapt to the changing job profiles.

Technology would transform lives and change the nature of livelihoods, but tradition and culture would also need to be maintained equally. It would have to be a mix of tradition and legacy on one hand and technology on the other, the minister said.

Speaking about strengthening the economies of the partner countries, the minister underlined the need for liquidity to ensure financial stability to fund the future.

"Liquidity coupled with lifestyles needs deeper reflection. Consumption waste is not going to make the world a better place to live in and the world will have to reflect on lifestyles and a circular economy, Goyal said adding that environmental challenge is not a function of the carbon emitted through manufacturing.