The State of the Global Climate Report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a yearly publication that provides a comprehensive assessment of the Earth's climate system.

It analyzes various climatic indicators including

• Temperature is a key focus, with the report tracking global average temperatures and identifying trends such as record highs or significant deviations from historical norms.
• The report examines ocean heat content, sea level rise, and ocean acidification.
• Changes in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice cover are monitored.
• The report tracks the levels of major greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere.
• The report analyzes the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, and tropical cyclones.

The report serves several purposes

• By tracking these indicators, scientists can assess the ongoing changes in the climate system and the pace of global warming.
• The report provides crucial scientific data for policymakers to develop effective strategies to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts.
• The report helps raise public awareness about the urgency of climate action and the potential consequences of inaction.

• 2023 is likely confirmed as the hottest year on record, surpassing previous highs.
• The report may highlight an increase in extreme weather events and their negative consequences.
• Continued rise in sea levels is likely reported, posing a threat to coastal communities.
• The report likely emphasizes the need for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.

3. Addressing Climate Change Through Rights-Based Approaches

Facing Planetary Stress

The health of our planet is severely strained, impinging upon people's fundamental right to lead healthy lives. UN Secretary-General António Guterres's poignant message on International Mother Earth Day 2024 emphasizes the critical situation humanity faces: "Humanity is acting as Mother Earth's delinquent child. We depend on nature... Yet, we have brought chaos to the natural world... These actions harm nature, and they harm humanity... Together, we must restore harmony with nature."

India's Climate Endeavors

India, as one of the globe's fastest-growing economies, has made significant progress in decoupling emissions from economic growth. Already, it has attained two of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets, achieving a 33% to 35% reduction in the emissions intensity of its GDP from 2005 levels and reaching 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, well ahead of the 2030 target year.

Persistent Vulnerability

Despite these strides, India remains highly susceptible to climate change. Over 80% of its populace resides in districts at risk of climate-induced disasters. Escalating temperatures and natural calamities have emerged as major crises, impacting livelihoods, and food security, and exacerbating prevailing socio-economic disparities.

Legal Accountability for Climate Action

The recent judicial observation underscores a significant precedent by examining the impacts of climate change through a rights perspective, affecting humanity's fundamental rights to health, life, liberty, and more. Integrating the impacts of climate change into constitutional fundamental rights lays the groundwork for legal accountability in climate action.

Accelerating Climate Action

The observation presents various avenues to expedite climate action, both on the demand and supply sides. Embracing a more rights-based approach to climate action and fostering integrated collaboration among government, private sector, and civil society can drive progress.

Pursuing an Overarching Regulation

One pivotal step could involve adopting comprehensive regulations on climate change, aligning with India's policy-driven approach encapsulated in the National and State Action Plans on Climate Change. Such regulations could bolster state capacities by allocating funds, functions, and functionaries effectively.

Drawing Insights from Global Practices

A study by the London School of Economics and Political Science highlights the efficacy of climate change framework laws in over 60 countries, fostering strategic direction beyond meeting targets under global environmental conventions. India's adoption of such a framework law could bolster climate governance, fortifying institutional frameworks and processes, thereby facilitating more ambitious climate action.

Fostering Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

An overarching framework could also promote stringent accountability and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas. With 18 States and Union Territories classified as moderately to highly vulnerable to climate change, establishing a platform to share best practices in policy implementation can foster coherence in policies and actions across regions.

4. Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• India's innovative approach to localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has proven successful by seamlessly integrating them into local-level planning.
• Through multi-tiered and multi-stakeholder processes, states and territories have taken ownership, crafting their own SDG roadmaps and monitoring systems.
• Healthy competition among them fosters innovation and accelerates progress. To ensure effective implementation, the capacities of local governments are bolstered.
• Moreover, the model promotes broader participation from businesses, non-governmental organizations, and citizens, facilitating a more efficient and collaborative approach to SDG achievement.

Inter-Ministerial and Inter-Sectoral Collaboration

• Another pathway for progress involves fostering inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral approaches.
• A notable example is the One Health initiative, which convenes 13 ministries and departments spanning health, environment, science, and technology to address disease control, research, and pandemic preparedness. This collaborative effort underscores the potential for impactful action through cross-sectoral cooperation.
• Expanding such approaches to the private sector is crucial for integrating a rights-based approach to climate action into core operations.
• For instance, circular economy strategies should engage with human rights-compliant supply chains, including reverse logistics, to yield transformative outcomes.

5. Empowering Civil Society through Rights-Based Dialogue

The court's observation presents an opportunity to empower citizen groups and civil society organizations in fostering a rights-based dialogue on environment, biodiversity, and climate action. Within the environmental policy framework, this pathway can facilitate consensus-building to address potential tensions between climate mitigation and action. For instance, the Supreme Court's observation, amidst the balancing act of conserving the habitat of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard and developing solar energy parks for renewable energy targets, underscores the importance of dialogues to achieve holistic solutions.

Cultural Embeddedness and Legal Recognition

April 22 marks International Mother Earth Day since 2009, resonating deeply with India's cultural ethos, which venerates nature as a living entity rather than merely a resource. The Madras High Court's landmark declaration in 2022 further reinforced this notion by recognizing 'Mother Nature as a 'living being' with corresponding rights, duties, and liabilities, particularly emphasizing preservation and conservation efforts.

Restoring Mother Earth's Health and Human Well-being

Drawing from these legal pronouncements, it becomes imperative to advocate for the restoration of Mother Earth's right to good health. By doing so, we inherently protect the rights of individuals to a future devoid of the adverse impacts of climate change.

6. Conclusion

The fight against climate change demands a multi-pronged approach that integrates human rights principles, fosters collaboration across sectors, empowers civil society, and leverages innovative local solutions. By prioritizing the health of our planet, we can secure a future free from the devastating impacts of climate change.