COP 28: The Global Stocktake (GST) is a fundamental component of the Paris Agreement which is used to monitor its implementation and evaluate the collective progress made in achieving the agreed goals
The BASIC grouping, consisting of Brazil, South Africa, India, and China, has asserted during the ongoing annual climate talks in Dubai that the Global Stocktake (GST) should not only assess achievements but also account for the shortcomings of developed nations, as per sources familiar with the matter.
The Global Stocktake is a crucial element of the Paris Agreement, serving as a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the accord and assess the collective progress made towards the agreed-upon goals.
Delegates present in the preliminary negotiations reported that the BASIC grouping criticised the fragmented multilateralism of developed nations and stressed the need for the GST to consider both successes and failures, particularly on the part of developed countries.
A delegate from the Pacific Islands, not authorised to speak to the media, stated, "The grouping pushed that the GST should account for achievements and failures, including on the part of developed countries." Another delegate from Kenya confirmed this stance and added that the BASIC nations also condemned unilateralism and trade protectionism.
The Indian delegation, when contacted, corroborated the demands of the BASIC grouping but clarified that these were preliminary positions presented before the full-scale negotiations commenced.
The BASIC countries, comprising Brazil, South Africa, India, and China, formed a bloc in 2009, committing to act jointly at the Copenhagen climate summit. They even contemplated a united walk-out if their common minimum position was not met by developed nations.
The COP28 climate talks in Dubai, featuring nearly 100,000 delegates from 198 countries, commenced on Thursday and will continue until December 12. Leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, King Charles III of England, and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, participated in the Global Climate Action Summit on December 1 and 2.
The following days will involve closed-door discussions among officials and experts, with significant high-level political decisions expected in the final days to shape the resolution.