Latest news with #COP27
The Wire
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Wire
60 Former Civil Servants Write to CJI Citing Conflicts of Interest in Central Empowered Committee
New Delhi: A group of 60 retired civil servants have written to Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai, raising concerns about the impartiality of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) which now comes under the aegis of the union environment ministry. The CEC was first created in 2002 under the insistence of the Supreme Court, to keep track of the judgments of the apex court pertaining to forests, wildlife and conservation and look into cases of non-compliance by various parties in these matters. The CEC also contained two independent members, apart from retired government officials. However, the new CEC – reconstituted in December 2023 – comprises only retired officials who have held high posts in the union environment ministry. The retired bureaucrats' letter to the CJI, dated June 30, notes their 'great concern' about the 'conflict of interest, and transgression of the principles of natural justice, which promises to take the diminution of India's forests even further down the road'. Signatories to the letter include Prakriti Srivastava, a former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in Kerala, Meena Gupta, former Secretary to the union environment ministry, Anup Mukerji (former Chief Secretary of Bihar), N.C. Saxena (former Secretary to the Planning Commission) and Julio Ribeiro (former Director General of Police, Punjab). The CEC and its current members The Supreme Court constituted the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) in 2002. Its role was to keep track of the judgments of the apex court pertaining to forests, wildlife and conservation, and look into cases of non-compliance by various parties in these matters. Currently, the CEC has five members: a chairperson, three members and a member secretary. The current Chairperson of the CEC is Siddhanta Das. Das, who retired as the Director General of Forests and the Special Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, is a former Indian Forest Service officer of the 1982 batch of the Odisha cadre. The other members of the CEC are C.P. Goyal, Sunil Limaye and J.R. Bhatt. Goyal is also a retired IFS officer and former Director General of Forests and Special Secretary of the union environment ministry, and a former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in the Uttar Pradesh forest department. Limaye retired as a Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden in the Maharashtra forest department. Bhatt, a retired scientist, has served as the lead negotiator for India at the Paris Agreement and several subsequent Conferences of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change till COP 27, and was a director in the union environment ministry from April 2005 to September 2012. He was also an advisor to the ministry from September 2012 to March 2023. The Member Secretary of the CEC is Banumathi G., an IFS officer of the 2009 batch. She is currently the Assistant Inspector General of Forests at the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) which comes directly under the union environment ministry. The NTCA not only oversees Project Tiger, but also India's ambitious Project Cheetah in Madhya Pradesh. Conflicts of interest The letter by 60 former civil service officers to the Chief Justice of India dated June 30 points out their 'grave concerns' regarding several conflicts of interest. 'Two of the members of the CEC have held the topmost forest and wildlife posts under the government of India, that of Director General and Special Secretary and have retired recently,' the letter noted. 'A CEC which is comprised of officers who had held the highest positions in the MoEFCC, and were closely involved in policy making, can hardly be expected to give independent advice to the Supreme Court, advice that is different from what they gave while they were in the government,' it read. The letter said that it was a member of the CEC – who was then 'at the helm' in the union environment ministry – who prepared the Forest Conservation Amendment Bill 2023 and defended it before the Joint Parliamentary Committee that was instructed to look into the Bill and the various concerns that the public, including scientists and other experts, had raised. Several petitions submitted in the Supreme Court have challenged the Forest Conservation Amendment Act 2023. The cases are still being heard by the apex court, and its final decision on the matter is pending. The CEC and its members perform an advisory role to the Supreme Court, and will be advising the Court on this case as well. Another concern the letter raises is the lack of independent members in the current CEC. Experts had raised concerns about the new CEC In 2002 when the Supreme Court directed that the CEC be constituted, the CEC comprised three former officers of the union environment ministry, and two other members who were not linked to the union government in any way but had experience in the fields of wildlife, forests and conservation. 'In short, the Committee had not only expert members from the government, but also independent members who had not served in high positions in the government of India, nor had been involved in decisions of forest policy, thus ensuring impartiality and preventing conflict of interest,' the letter to the CJI dated June 30 read. However, in September 2023, the union environment ministry issued a new order specifying that the CEC would now report to the ministry and not the Supreme Court as it used to earlier. This order also announced that the union ministry would now choose the members of the CEC. The Indian Express reported that the environment ministry issued this order after the Supreme Court permitted this 'in the interest of all the stakeholders'. The new CEC, the ministry said, would also not have the two non-government members anymore. Experts had raised concerns at this move immediately. 'The underlying issue pertains to the primary motivation behind this action,' environmental policy researcher Debadityo Sinha, commented on X (formerly Twitter), five days after the ministry pronounced the order. 'It's widely understood that prioritising the 'ease of doing business' will inevitably overshadow all other considerations, leaving the government and CEC with limited leeway or alternative choices beyond adhering to political objectives.' Most of the environmental violation cases involve government actions, Sinha, said on X. 'The pertinent question arises: How can one anticipate the CEC to function independently or issue impartial judgments when its composition solely consists of civil servants appointed by the government?' Sinha also added that when considered alongside the recent revisions to the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980, it was 'evident' that the union government had 'gained an unprecedented level of control over forests and a substantial influence over the State's jurisdiction concerning forests, which fall within the concurrent list of subjects'. 'This shift in authority has significant implications for the management and governance of our forests,' he said. 'It's already happening' The biased and partial advice given by the current CEC to the Supreme Court is already evident, the retired bureaucrats' letter said. The letter cited the example of the recent order by the Supreme Court on zudpi forests in Maharashtra. Zudpi forests are scrublands and grasslands, often designated as 'wastelands' because they do not typically contain lush tree cover. These lands, however, support a huge diversity of wildlife including critically endangered species such as the Great Indian bustard, a grassland-dwelling bird whose numbers have dwindled to less than 200 across India. This essentially makes the bird far rarer than a tiger in the wild. As per the former civil servants' letter, the Supreme Court on May 22 this year 'recommended the untrammelled use of such forests for 'compensatory afforestation' considering 'zudpi' forests as ecologically inferior forests as they cannot support thick stands of forest trees'. The Court had based this order on the CEC's recommendations, the letter said. It also added that diverting zudpi forests for non-forestry purposes is violative of the Supreme Court's Godavarman order of 1996 (which made it clear that any land that satisfied the dictionary meaning of a forest be considered a forest legally), and other recent orders pertaining to cases surrounding petitions against the amendments made to the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. 'As the Maharashtra zudpi forest case judgement clearly reveals, a CEC which is composed of only retired government officials merely reiterates the position of the government in its advice to the Supreme Court, a clear conflict of interest,' the letter noted. It urged the CJI to ensure that such a CEC not be allowed to advise the Court in the FCAA 2023 cases before it, 'or be part of other such important cases in the interest of the country's forests, wildlife and ecological security'.
Daily News Egypt
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Environment Minister calls for stronger action on desertification, climate resilience in Africa
Egypt's Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, has warned that climate change and desertification pose critical threats to Africa's security and stability, urging coordinated regional action and increased investment in sustainable environmental and climate solutions. Speaking before the African Affairs Committee of Egypt's House of Representatives, Fouad outlined both national and continental efforts to address these mounting challenges. She also highlighted Egypt's leadership role following her appointment as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). 'This position reflects the trust of Egypt's political leadership and continues our country's longstanding commitment to support Africa in confronting the accelerating threat of land degradation,' Fouad said, noting that nearly 45% of Africa's landmass is already affected by desertification. Fouad reviewed Egypt's key achievements under its 2050 National Climate Strategy, including emissions reductions between 2018 and 2022 in the power, oil, and transport sectors. She also pointed to major coastal adaptation projects, such as the construction of 80 kilometres of nature-based seawalls to protect cities in the Nile Delta from rising sea levels. She stressed that desertification has evolved into a political and socioeconomic issue, not merely an environmental one, and reiterated Egypt's call to integrate the three Rio Conventions—climate change, biodiversity, and desertification—through a presidential initiative promoting cross-cutting, nature-based solutions that protect both ecosystems and local livelihoods. Addressing the Loss and Damage Fund, launched during COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Fouad said Egypt is preparing national projects to access funding and has developed technical teams to assess climate-related damages and mobilise resources. She also announced the launch of an interactive climate risk map and a national contingency plan for extreme weather events. Fouad underscored Egypt's leadership in mobilising regional climate finance, particularly for food security initiatives in North and East Africa, and emphasised the importance of linking food, energy, and water security under a unified, climate-resilient development agenda. She also highlighted Egypt's recent legislative reforms, including green incentives for producers of plastic alternatives under the new investment law, and the enforcement of the Extended Producer Responsibility policy aimed at reducing single-use plastic waste. Fouad concluded by reaffirming Egypt's growing international and regional role, noting the country's preparations to host the upcoming Barcelona Convention meeting on the protection of the Mediterranean marine environment. She added that Egypt's domestic environmental efforts are increasingly viewed as a model for developing nations across the Global South.
Egypt Today
15-06-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt Secures Spot in $1B Climate Investment Program: PlanningMin
Cairo – June 15, 2025: Egypt has been selected as one of only seven countries worldwide to benefit from the Climate Investment Funds' (CIF) $1 billion Industrial Decarbonization Program, aimed at reducing emissions in developing nations' industrial sectors. The announcement was made by Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, who emphasized that the selection from a competitive pool of 26 applicant countries underscores international confidence in Egypt's climate policies and green transformation agenda. The initiative, launched under the CIF's Clean Technology Fund (CTF), is the first of its kind to focus exclusively on industrial decarbonization in emerging markets. Egypt joins Brazil, Mexico, Namibia, South Africa, Turkey, and Uzbekistan as the first recipients of support from the program. According to Al-Mashat, Egypt's proposal was submitted in partnership with key international financial institutions, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The submission highlighted Egypt's strategic shift toward a green economy, institutional readiness, and the engagement of private sector actors in climate financing. 'This achievement affirms global trust in Egypt's vision and efforts to align national development strategies with climate goals,' Al-Mashat stated. 'We are committed to strengthening our institutional capacity and promoting investment policies that foster environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness.' The CIF noted that the seven selected countries were chosen based on an independent evaluation. The program aims to accelerate the transition to low-emission industrial systems, spur green job creation, and position participating countries to capitalize on a growing global market for environmentally sustainable goods—projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030. Al-Mashat also pointed to Egypt's heightened climate action momentum since hosting the COP27 summit in Sharm El Sheikh in 2022. During the summit, Egypt launched the 'NWFE' (Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy) country platform, an internationally recognized model that seeks to drive climate investment through partnerships involving the government, development agencies, and the private sector. In addition to the decarbonization initiative, Egypt was previously recognized by the CIF during COP27 as the top-ranked country in the North Africa and Europe region under the 'Nature, People, and Climate Investment' program—a separate $500 million initiative supporting projects in climate-smart agriculture, coastal restoration, and inclusive green development. Ongoing technical discussions are being held to leverage that funding within the NWFE framework. Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO of CIF, underscored the urgency of industrial decarbonization, particularly in emerging economies. 'The global race to decarbonize the industrial sector has begun, and emerging markets are leading the way,' she said. 'This is not just about emissions; it's about ensuring long-term prosperity, generating jobs, and producing the low-carbon materials essential to scaling renewable energy and powering the global economy.' Under the program, the selected countries will develop detailed investment plans in collaboration with multilateral development banks and private sector partners. Once approved by the CIF board, these plans will unlock access to highly concessional financing to scale up technologies like green hydrogen and low-carbon industrial processes. The CIF's Clean Technology Fund, valued at $9 billion, employs a groundbreaking private capital mobilization mechanism—one that reportedly generates $12 in additional investment for every $1 of CTF funding—making it a key tool for driving large-scale sustainable development.
Daily News Egypt
14-06-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt selected for $1bn climate fund decarbonisation programme: Al-Mashat
Egypt has been selected as one of seven countries to benefit from the Climate Investment Funds' (CIF) $1bn Industrial Decarbonisation Programme, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat announced on Saturday. Egypt was chosen from a global pool of 26 applicants for the programme, which is the first global development financing initiative aimed at reducing emissions in the industrial sector of developing countries. The other selected nations are Brazil, Mexico, Namibia, South Africa, Turkey and Uzbekistan. Al-Mashat said the selection reflects international confidence in Egypt's climate action strategies. 'The selection reflects international institutions' confidence in national climate action strategies and green transformation efforts,' Al-Mashat stated, adding that a 'strong institutional framework and effective partnerships with development partners and the private sector contributed to Egypt's winning bid among 26 countries.' The ministry submitted Egypt's proposal in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The submission was based on Egypt's green economy transition goals, institutional capabilities and private sector participation. The minister said the government is working to integrate national policies with climate objectives and that Egypt has intensified its climate efforts since hosting the COP27 summit in November 2022. During the summit, Egypt launched its 'NWFE' country platform, a programme designed to attract climate investments through government, private sector and international partnerships. The CIF confirmed that an independent expert team assessed the applications. The programme aims to support low-emission industrial transformation, create green jobs and improve the long-term economic competitiveness of participating nations, positioning them to benefit from a global market for eco-friendly goods projected to reach $2trn by 2030. Tariye Gbadegesine, CEO of the Climate Investment Funds, said emerging markets are playing a key role in the effort to reduce industrial carbon emissions. 'The global race to decarbonize the industrial sector has begun, and emerging markets are leading the way,' Gbadegesine said. 'Decarbonizing industry is not just about cutting emissions, it is also about securing long-term prosperity and future jobs. It is vital to produce the low-carbon industrial inputs the world urgently needs to scale renewable energy capacity and power the global economy.' The seven selected countries are expected to work with multilateral development banks and private sector partners to develop investment plans for approval by the CIF board. The plans will allow them to access concessional financing to scale up clean technologies, such as green hydrogen. The Industrial Decarbonisation Programme is part of the CIF's $9bn Clean Technology Fund (CTF). According to the CIF, the fund uses a private capital mobilisation mechanism that generates $12 in additional financing for every dollar it invests. During the COP27 conference, Egypt also ranked first in the North Africa and Europe region for the CIF's Nature, People, and Climate Investment initiative, which provides $500m to support projects in developing countries. The ministry said technical discussions are underway with the CIF to use this initiative to fund projects under the 'NWFE' programme.
See - Sada Elbalad
14-06-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Al Mashat Announces Egypt's Selection to Benefit from CIF's Industrial Decarbonization Program with $1 Billion Funding
Basant Ahmed Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, announced Egypt's selection among 7 countries out of 26 applicants to benefit from the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Industrial Decarbonization Program. This program is the first global development financing initiative dedicated to reducing harmful emissions in the industrial sector of developing countries, with a value of $1 billion. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out that the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, in its role of fostering economic relations with international institutions and development partners, submitted Egypt's proposal in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). This submission was based on Egypt's ambitious vision for transitioning to a green economy, reducing emissions, robust institutional capabilities, and the active participation of both domestic and foreign private sectors, particularly through development financing. Minister Al-Mashat added that Egypt's selection among the 7 countries underscores the international community's confidence in the national strategies and efforts exerted to enhance climate action. This selection also represents a significant step towards boosting the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy and attracting more climate investments. She highlighted that the Egyptian government is working to integrate national policies and development goals with climate objectives, aiming to advance the implementation of green transformation-incentivizing policies in cooperation with international institutions. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that Egypt has intensified its climate action efforts, particularly since hosting COP27 in November 2022. During this conference, Egypt launched the "NWFE" program country platform, a pioneering initiative that has received unprecedented international support and continuous commendations for its role in encouraging climate investments through partnerships among the government, international institutions, and the private sector. The CIF confirmed that the 7 selected countries (Egypt, Brazil, Mexico, Namibia, South Africa, Turkey, and Uzbekistan) were chosen based on an independent expert team's assessment. The program aims to support low-emission industrial transformation and create green jobs, thereby enhancing the long-term economic competitiveness of participating countries and qualifying them to benefit from the global market for eco-friendly goods, which is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030. This program is part of the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) under the CIF, which has a total value of $9 billion. It leverages the CIF's private capital mobilization mechanism, which is the first of its kind in mobilizing private capital to support countries' sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development priorities. Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), stated, "The global race to decarbonize the industrial sector has begun, and emerging markets are leading the way. Decarbonizing industry is not just about cutting emissions, it is also about securing long-term prosperity and future jobs. It is vital to produce the low-carbon industrial inputs the world urgently needs to scale renewable energy capacity and power the global economy." It is worth noting that in November 2022, during the COP27 climate conference in Sharm El Sheikh, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat announced that Egypt's bid ranked first among countries in the North Africa and Europe region in the CIF's Nature, People, and Climate Investment initiative. Through this initiative, CIF provides $500 million in support for implementing projects in developing member countries. Technical discussions are underway between the Ministry, relevant entities, and CIF to leverage this initiative by funding a number of projects under the "NWFE" program in areas such as climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness and agricultural finance, coastal ecosystem restoration, and stimulating private sector participation as a common pillar. The seven selected countries are expected to collaborate with multilateral development banks and private sector partners to develop investment plans for approval by the CIF board. These plans will enable countries to access highly concessional financing to scale up the adoption of clean technologies, such as green hydrogen and low-carbon industries, to achieve a global energy transition. The program provides developing countries with access to development financing, attracts investments for climate transformation projects, and creates green job opportunities. This program is part of the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) under the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), which has a total value of $9 billion. It relies on the fund's private capital market mechanism, which is the first of its kind in mobilizing private capital to support countries' sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development priorities. 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