Strategic Nature of Climate Change Negotiations – A Manifestation of Power Play

Prof. Dr. Shashikala Gurpur, Fulbright Scholar, Director, Symbiosis Law School, Pune, Dean, Faculty of Law, Symbiosis Law School, Pune, Jean Monnet Chair Professor (EUC-LAMP), Co-funded by Erasmus, delivered the welcome address. Dr. Gurpur briefed the audience on the Jean Monnet Distinguished Speaker Program and welcomed and felicitated the Guest Speaker. She mentioned that this was the first fully-fledged Internationalization Activity of SLS-Pune, the Jean Monnet Chair being officiated with this event.

Introducing the Jean Monnet Chair, Dr. Gurpur noted that it was an achievement for SLS – Pune and Symbiosis International University as it is one among the 30 holders of the Jean Monnet Chair across the globe. The main objective of the Chair, or “EU Lamp”, according to Dr. Gurpur, is to “further dialogue, being a cradle of democracy”. Quoting the Socratic Dialogue, Dr. Gurpur visualized the EU as “an epitome of democracy”. She went on to highlight how the Jean Monnet Chair is particularly relevant for the Indian context by showing how India’s emission owing to its carbon footprint, forms a case study to understand and mitigate the risks of climate change. Concluding her address, Dr. Gurpur invited the Guest of Honour to share his valuable insights into active citizenry, democratic participation and civil engagement.

Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri commenced his address by sharing his past experiences as an Indian Diplomat and Ambassador. He mentioned how the 2004 Kyoto Protocol changed the dynamics of climate change where “the haves felt challenged by the have-nots.” At this juncture, India being a developing country, found itself in the hot waters and was the hegemony of power. According to Mr. Puri, it continues to be an opportunity for India to forge partnerships with the European Union, given the current economic and political challenges faced by the EU. He further emphasized International Law being the “process of furthering national interest which is dependent on domestic laws, nature of its adoption and reception of countries”. 

Mr. Puri introduced the students to the concept of “Rules-based International Order”, which is privy to the hegemonistic rise of China and the dichotomy of the United States. He went on to note that “International Law is about Hard Power. The countries that have hard power have the most interesting soft power.” 

Mr. Puri cited examples of climate negotiations taking a front seat and is now being given the recognition of a magnum that it deserves. In addition to this, he also focused on the emission of Carbon Dioxide becoming an “intergenerational crisis”.

Explaining the genesis of Climate Negotiations, Mr. Puri pointed out that the 1988 Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly set things in motion for IPCC and Rio De Janeiro Protocol and gave rise to the idea of “common but differentiated liability”. He demonstrated with statistics that even after 30 years of emission policies in place, developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union have more per capita emissions compared to developing countries like India and China. Yet, fingers were pointed at India on “phasedown of unabated coal”. Concluding his address, Mr. Puri urged the audience to “act on climate change, both adaptation and mitigation”. 

The event was concluded by a Q&A session between the attendees and Mr. Puri, and the Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Aparajita Mohanty, Deputy Director (Academics), SLS-P.

To know more, visit  Symbiosis Law School, Pune

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