Overview of COP28 and GGA Adoption
The 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai marked a significant shift in addressing the lackadaisical approach of the international community towards adaptation concerns.
Notably guided by the Paris Agreement on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), the adoption of the GGA framework at COP28 reflected the culmination of efforts initiated at COP26 and COP27.
Urgency in Addressing Adaptation
- The material progress on the implementation of the GGA highlighted the need for future climate change negotiations to prioritize adaptation on par with mitigation.
- With extreme weather events causing devastating consequences, the urgency stems from the fact that these events are occurring at just 1.1° Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Challenges in GGA Implementation
- The GGA framework outlines specific targets, including up-to-date climate assessments and the establishment of early warning systems by 2030.
- However, challenges in implementing global goals at the national level, influenced by factors such as administrative capacity and economic development, pose hurdles to achieving these targets.
Measuring GGA Progress
- Unlike mitigation efforts, measuring progress in climate adaptation lacks a universal metric.
- The GGA framework’s decision to launch a two-year work program on indicators aims to address this gap, but questions remain about the potential role of universal indicators and their development.
Adaptation Finance Gap
- The COP28 Draft Decision expressed concern over the widening adaptation finance gap, emphasizing the disparity between estimated costs and available finance.
- Despite COP26’s call for developed countries to double adaptation finance by 2025, the gap persists, with estimates indicating a shortage of funds.
Climate Financing Bias
- A notable bias in climate financing favors mitigation over adaptation.
- The mitigation-centric nature of the climate change regime, global benefits of mitigation projects, and the availability of low-cost mitigation options in developing countries contribute to a significant split in financing, with a ratio of 955 for mitigation and adaptation finance.
GGA’s Shortcomings
- While the GGA represents a positive step forward for adaptation, it falls short in treating adaptation on par with mitigation.
- The emphasis on temperature increase below 2°C and 1.5°C, while essential, raises concerns about the insufficient focus on adaptation efforts, potentially undermining the broader goal of ensuring adaptation options.
Conclusion
COP28’s adoption of the GGA framework reflects progress in recognizing the urgency of adaptation, but challenges in implementation, measuring progress, and addressing the adaptation finance gap underscore the need for continued global commitment and collaboration in climate change efforts.
Background
Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul of the Supreme Court of India, in the judgment on Article 370 of the Constitution, recommended the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the Kashmir Valley, specifically addressing the insurgency in 1989-90.
Purpose of the Commission
- The primary objective of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission would be to address human rights violations perpetrated by both State and non-State actors during periods of violence.
- Justice Kaul emphasizes the potential of truth-telling to acknowledge and reconcile the wrongs suffered by victims.
Parameters of Truth Commissions
The characteristics of truth commissions, as outlined by expert Priscilla B. Hayner, include focusing on the past, investigating patterns of events, engaging with the affected population, being temporary with a final report, and being officially authorized by the state.
Caution and Mandate Definition
- If such a commission is constituted for the Kashmir Valley, careful definition of parameters is crucial.
- The composition of the commission plays a vital role in ensuring impartiality and objectivity.
- The mandate must be chosen thoughtfully to avoid adversely impacting the credibility of security forces.
Challenges with Amnesty
- The commission’s important function is holding public hearings and recording rights violations.
- However, granting amnesty, a power possessed by some commissions, could be controversial in India, especially when applied uniformly to state and non-state actors involved in the Kashmir conflict.
Reparation for Victims
- One essential mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is determining reparation for victims, even if perpetrators remain unidentified.
- This is particularly relevant for the case of Kashmiri Pandits who faced involuntary migration in 1989-90.
Delayed Reparation for Kashmiri Pandits
- While the immediate establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission could be beneficial, Justice Kaul acknowledges its limited utility.
- The victims of rights violations, including Kashmiri Pandits, still have the right to reparation, which may involve restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, and guarantees of non-repetition.
Closure for Kashmiri Pandit Victims
- Despite the closure of Article 370 by the Supreme Court, Justice Kaul underscores the need for authoritative acknowledgment and closure for the victims of insurgency, particularly the Kashmiri Pandits.
His recommendation, acknowledging its limitations, seeks redress for all victims and emphasizes the importance of addressing their grievances.
Background:
In October, Resecurity, a US company, revealed that personal data of 55% of the Indian population, approximately 815 million citizens, was available on the dark web.
The data included sensitive information like names, phone numbers, Aadhaar numbers, passport numbers, and addresses. On December 18, Delhi police arrested four individuals in connection with this breach.
Recurring Data Breaches:
- India has experienced multiple data breaches, including the CoWin website leak and a ransomware attack on AIIMS.
- Despite the increasing frequency of such incidents globally, the leaking of sensitive information in October raised concerns due to the potential misuse of Aadhaar, passport, and other critical data.
Lack of Incident Response:
- While other countries employ incident response strategies to mitigate the impact of data breaches, India witnesses denials, semantic hand waving, and a lack of clear communication from the government.
- Citizens are not informed about leaks or educated on recourse, leaving them vulnerable until the next breach occurs.
Government’s Approach and Aadhaar Issues:
- The government’s reliance on Aadhaar-based technology, despite a Supreme Court prohibition against mandatory registration, exposes citizens to digital risks.
- The Data Protection Act introduced in India fails to address sensitive health information, and government exemptions from data retention and erasure provisions raise concerns.
Recommendations for Government Action:
- Prioritize Cybersecurity: Make prevention, detection, assessment, and remediation of cyber incidents a top priority.
- Digital Infrastructure: Recognize the importance of digital infrastructure for national and economic security; increase transparency and accountability.
- Establish Cybersecurity Board: Form a cybersecurity board with government and private sector participation to analyze and recommend improvements following cyber incidents.
- Adopt Zero-Trust Architecture: Implement a zero-trust architecture and mandate a standardized playbook for responding to cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
- Modernize State Networks: Execute a plan for defending and modernizing state networks, updating incident response policies urgently.
- People-Centric Approach: Put people at the center of all policies, inform them immediately about cyber incidents, and provide assistance in protecting themselves and mitigating fallout.
Conclusion:
The current state of Digital India faces challenges, necessitating a comprehensive and proactive cybersecurity strategy. The government must address vulnerabilities, enhance transparency, and prioritize citizen protection to ensure a secure and resilient digital environment.
