G20 Environment and

Climate Ministers’ Meeting

Outcome Document and Chair’s Summary

Chennai, India
28 July 2023
 G20 Environment and Climate Ministers’ Meeting
Chennai, India
28 July 2023
Outcome Document and Chair’s Summary

The Outcome Document comprises the entire text, which was unanimously agreed to by
all G20 delegations, except for paragraphs 63-66, which pertains to the Chair’s Summary.

PREAMBLE

1. We, the G20 Environment and Climate Ministers, met in person in Chennai on the
28th of July 2023, to reemphasize the importance of achieving the objectives of the
three Rio Conventions, and urgently accelerate our actions to address
environmental crises and challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss,
pollution, desertification, deforestation, water quality/ availability/ accessibility,
land and ocean degradation, and to mainstream and scale up complementarities in
this regard. We recognize that these issues are interconnected, and we are thus
committed to advancing our actions in a complementary manner along with efforts
to address other pressing and urgent global challenges including economic
slowdown, poverty, high and excessively volatile commodity prices including food
and energy, and the impacts of the CoVID-19 pandemic.

2. Recognizing that the prosperity and well-being of present and future generations
depend on our current development choices and actions, we resolve to pursue
environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development
recognizing our commitments and objectives, inter alia to achieve: the 2030
Agenda and its SDGs; the goals of the Paris Agreement; the 2030 mission of the
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its 2050 vision of living in
harmony with nature; land degradation neutrality by 2030, as well as to address
pollution through appropriate tailored action; and targets in relevant multilateral
environmental agreements, and in this context are determined to avoid siloed
actions. We acknowledge the urgent need to strengthen policies and mobilize
financing, from all sources in a predictable, adequate and timely manner to address
climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation including
significantly increasing support for developing countries, and work together on
scientific knowledge-sharing, raising awareness, and capacity building.

3. We stress the need for building on the work of past Presidencies to address climate
change and achieve environmental sustainability. In this spirit, we reaffirm our
commitment to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

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 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets, the Addis Ababa Action
Agenda, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
and the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and its strategic framework, and
as appropriate other multilateral environmental agreements.

4. We underscore that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including
extreme poverty, is indispensable for sustainable and climate resilient
development pathways and achieving the comprehensive, far-reaching and
people-centered set of universal and transformative goals as outlined in the 2030
Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals and UN General Assembly
resolution 76/300 on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable
environment. We further recognize that while the impacts of environmental
degradation and climate change are felt by individuals and communities around
the world, the consequences are felt most acutely by those segments of the
population that are already in vulnerable situations, women and girls, local
communities, youth, children, older persons and persons with disabilities. In this
context, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring their full, equitable, inclusive,
effective representation and participation in decision-making, respecting their
rights. We note in particular the importance of the rights and traditional
knowledge of Indigenous Peoples as affirmed in the United Nations Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We highlight the importance of accumulating
further knowledge on the disproportionate impacts on women and girls and call
for the collection and use of more disaggregated data in this regard.

5. We strongly welcome the adoption of the historic Kunming-Montreal Global

Biodiversity Framework and its 2030 mission to take urgent action to halt and
reverse biodiversity loss, and its 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature, and
commit to its swift, full, and effective implementation, and urge other countries to
do the same. We welcome the adoption of the new international legally binding
instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),
on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas
beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) and call on all countries for its early entry into
force and implementation.

6. We express support for the theme of India’s G20 Presidency, ‘One Earth, One
Family, One Future’. We note the importance of the transition to sustainable
lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption and production for efforts to
address climate change, as noted in the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan,
pollution, desertification, and biodiversity loss in line with the Kunming-Montreal

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 Global Biodiversity Framework. We stress the importance of achieving SDG 12 on
Sustainable Consumption and Production. We note with appreciation the G20
High-Level Principles on Lifestyles for Sustainable Development.

7. We welcome the efforts of, and express our full support to the UAE Presidency of
the 28th UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP28), the Turkish Presidency of the
16th UN CBD Conference of Parties (COP16), the Saudi Presidency of the 16th
UNCCD Conference of Parties (COP16). We also welcome the German Presidency
of the 5th International Conference for Chemicals Management, Indonesia for the
10th World Water Forum, and the convening of the four Regional Climate Weeks
in 2023. We intend to engage at these events and processes in a productive,
collaborative and inclusive manner for ambitious and balanced outcomes
commensurate to the challenges these address. We are committed to playing a
constructive role in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an
international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, commensurate with
the challenge, and with the ambition of completing its work by the end of 2024.

8. We reiterate and are determined to step up our efforts to prevent and combat
crimes that affect the environment, in line with UN General Assembly resolution
76/185, and to intensify our cooperation with relevant Ministers to combat illicit
financial flows deriving from crimes that affect the environment.

ACCELERATING CLIMATE ACTION

9. Mindful of our leadership role, we reaffirm our steadfast commitments, in pursuit

of the objective of UNFCCC, to tackle climate change by strengthening the full and
effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and its temperature goal,
reflecting equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities in light of different national circumstances. We
highlight the importance of ambitious action on all pillars of the Paris Agreement
taking into account the best available science.

10. We note with concern that global ambition and implementation to address climate
change remain insufficient to achieve the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement
to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-
industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C
above pre-industrial levels. We welcome the contributions of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its Sixth Assessment
Report (AR6). We recognize the importance of the best available science for
effective climate action and policymaking and encourage its use to inform national
climate policies and action plans, as appropriate.

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11. We acknowledge that the impacts of climate change will be much lower at a
temperature increase of 1.5°C compared with 2°C and reiterate our resolve to
pursue further efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. Further, we will strive to
implement, as appropriate, nature-based solutions, ecosystem-based approaches
and other management and conservation approaches for mitigation and
adaptation action while ensuring relevant social and environmental safeguards,
taking into consideration United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 5/5
and the contributions of working group II to the IPCC 6th Assessment Report. We
stress that urgent, meaningful and effective climate action should be implemented
in a manner that is just and inclusive, while minimizing negative and maximizing
positive social or economic impacts and enhance the co-benefits that may arise
from such action.

12. We will play our part fully in implementing the Sharm El Sheikh Implementation
Plan and the relevant outcomes of previous COPs and CMAs. We urge all countries
that have not yet aligned their NDCs with the temperature goal of the Paris
Agreement, to revisit and strengthen the 2030 targets in their nationally
determined contributions as necessary, by the end of 2023, taking into account
different national circumstances, and we welcome those who have already done
so. We recall the nationally determined nature of NDCs and Article 4.4 of the Paris
Agreement, which provides that “Developed country Parties should continue
taking the lead by undertaking economy-wide absolute emission reduction targets.
Developing country Parties should continue enhancing their mitigation efforts, and
are encouraged to move over time towards economy-wide emission reduction or
limitation targets in the light of different national circumstances.” In this context,
we commend the countries which have done so already and encourage others to
do the same in the upcoming NDC cycle(s), in the light of different national
circumstances. We stress the importance of the implementation of Article 6 of the
Paris Agreement, which has the potential to enhance climate actions, and recognize
the need to ensure the environmental integrity of carbon markets and for capacity
building, in particular in developing countries for its implementation. We further
welcome the Sharm el-Sheikh mitigation ambition and implementation work
programme (MWP) decided at COP27, focusing in 2023, on the topic of accelerating
just energy transition. We look forward to meaningful and constructive
engagement in the MWP towards increasing ambition and implementation while
reiterating the nationally determined nature of NDCs as per Decision 4/CMA.4. We
welcome the submission of long-term low greenhouse gas emission development
strategies (LT-LEDS) referred to in Article 4, paragraph 19, of the Paris Agreement
by several countries. We encourage others to develop and submit LT-LEDS
towards just transitions to net zero emissions/ carbon neutrality by or around

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 midcentury, taking into account different national circumstances, by CMA.5 in
2023.

13. We acknowledge the existing gap between current levels of adaptation and levels
needed to respond to impacts and reduce climate risks. We also recognize that
enhancing cross-sectoral adaptation and building resilience is an urgent
requirement for maintaining livelihoods and protecting development gains in the
face of a changing climate, particularly for developing countries. We recall the
Glasgow Climate Pact’s urge to developed country Parties to at least double their
collective provision of climate finance for adaptation to developing country Parties
from 2019 levels by 2025. We also call on all relevant finance institutions, such as
MDBs, IFIs and multilateral funds to further strengthen their efforts including by
setting ambitious adaptation finance targets announcing, where appropriate
revised and enhanced 2025 projections, and by supporting the enhanced
participation of the private sector, including in the context of achieving a balance
between mitigation and adaptation in the provision of scaled-up financial
resources, recalling Article 9, paragraph 4, of the Paris Agreement. We emphasize
that mainstreaming adaptation in development in relevant sectors such as climate-
resilient agriculture, physical infrastructure, integrated water resources,
sustainable heating and cooling solutions and green buildings are needed, also
bearing in mind the potential added value of, as appropriate, nature-based
solutions, ecosystem-based approaches and other management and conservation
approaches to complement efforts in these areas.

14. We underline the importance of enhancing action and support towards achieving
the global goal on adaptation (GGA) as established by the Paris Agreement and
welcome the progress made under the Glasgow - Sharm el-Sheikh work
programme on GGA towards enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening
resilience, and reducing vulnerability to climate change with a view to contributing
to sustainable development and ensuring an adequate adaptation response in the
context of the temperature goal set out in Article 2, paragraph 1(a), of the Paris
Agreement. We also stress the need to advance all adaptation actions including
through the effective implementation of long-term, large-scale, and locally-led
approaches. We further urge CMA5 to deliver a framework towards the
achievement of the global goal on adaptation.

15. We reiterate the need to act urgently to build resilience to slow onset events and
extreme weather events and to avert, minimize and address loss and damage
associated with the adverse effects of climate change. In this context, we will work
to successfully implement the decision at COP27 on funding arrangements for
responding to loss and damage for assisting developing countries that are

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 particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including
establishing a fund. We will support the Transitional Committee established in this
regard, and look forward to its recommendations on operationalizing the new
funding arrangements including a fund at COP28. We call for a fully operational
Santiago Network to catalyze, as soon as possible, technical assistance for the
implementation of approaches to avert, minimize, and address loss and damage at
the local, national, and regional levels in developing countries that are particularly
vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. We should facilitate the
improvement of accessibility of those countries to the multiple currently available
support measures. We express our support to the call of the United Nations
Secretary-General for ‘early warnings for all’ by 2027 to protect everyone on Earth
through universal coverage of early warning systems against extreme weather and
climate change, and we encourage to provide support, as appropriate, to this
initiative. We also welcome the establishment of the G20 Working Group on
Disaster Risk Reduction and its further discussion which has the potential to
contribute to climate resilience.

16. We stress the importance of means of implementation support to developing

countries, as critical enablers for urgent climate action required in a warming
world. We note the complexities associated with the diversity of definitions of
climate finance and we look forward to the outcomes from the work of the Standing
Committee on Finance on clustering types of climate finance definitions in use that
could be considered within the UNFCCC process, by COP28. We recall and reaffirm
the commitment made by developed countries to the goal of mobilising jointly USD
100 billion climate finance per year by 2020, and annually through 2025, to
address the needs of developing countries, in the context of meaningful mitigation
action and transparency in implementation. Developed country-contributors
expect this goal to be met for the first time in 2023. We note that some parties have
submitted biennial update reports and encourage others to report transparently
on their implementation efforts in a timely manner. In this context, we highlight
the importance of financial support to developing countries for preparation of
BURs and BTRs, and encourage among others the Global Environment Facility
(GEF) to provide such support in a timely manner.

17. We acknowledge the continued importance of public, grant based and concessional
finance, and we highlight the need to deploy a wide variety of sources, instruments,
policy levers and channels that are fit for purpose to address the increasing scale
of climate finance and investment needs, particularly in developing countries. We
further call for accelerated, adequate and additional mobilization of climate
finance from Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), International Financing
Institutions (IFIs), private sector, and other sources to enable climate action. We

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 look forward to the forthcoming Sharm El-Sheikh dialogue on Article 2.1c, of the
Paris Agreement and its complementarity with Article 9 of the Paris Agreement, in
2023. We also support continued deliberations on an ambitious new collective
quantified goal of climate finance in line with decision 1/CP21, from a floor of USD
100 billion per year taking into account the needs and priorities of developing
countries, by COP29 in 2024, that help in fulfilling the objective of the UNFCCC and
implementation of the Paris Agreement. We further call for an ambitious second
replenishment process of the Green Climate Fund for its upcoming 2024-2027
programming period.

18. We stress the critical importance of the upcoming global stocktake at COP28 in
2023, to assess collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the Paris
Agreement and its long-term goals, and informing Parties in updating and
enhancing, in a nationally determined manner, action and support, and enhancing
international cooperation. We will contribute to a successful conclusion of the first
global stocktake at COP 28 in Dubai through a decision and/or a declaration that
drives enhanced climate action across mitigation, adaptation, and means of
implementation and support as well as in enhancing international cooperation .
We will submit the next round of NDCs informed by the outcomes of the global
stocktake. We will adhere to Article 4.3 of the Paris Agreement which provides that
“Each Party's successive nationally determined contribution will represent a
progression beyond the Party's then current nationally determined contribution
and reflect its highest possible ambition, reflecting its common but differentiated
responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national
circumstances.”

19. We recognize the findings from the Synthesis Report of the IPCC AR6 regarding the
potential of demand side measures in reducing global GHG emissions. We will
promote international cooperation and sharing of experiences and best practices
on empowering sustainable consumer choices and preferences. We recognize the
critical role of education, training, public awareness, participation and access to
information, in this regard. We also acknowledge, taking into account different
government systems, the important role of cities, regions and local governments,
in implementing climate actions and in making the transitions in the context of
local needs and environmental conditions, including environmentally conscious
lifestyle, promoting knowledge sharing and city-to-city collaboration.

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 PREVENTING, REDUCING AND REVERSING LAND DEGRADATION;
ACCELERATING ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION AND HALTING AND
REVERSING BIODIVERSITY LOSS

20. We emphasize the importance of all healthy ecosystems in addressing major

challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, pollution,
food insecurity and water scarcity. Healthy ecosystems also contribute to human
well-being as well as protecting human, animal and plant health. We acknowledge
that ecosystems provide a wide range of valuable ecosystem services including but
not limited to regulation of air, water and climate, soil health, pollination and
reduction of disease risk, as well as protection from natural hazards and disasters,
including through nature-based solutions, ecosystem-based approaches and other
management and conservation approaches for the benefit of all people and nature.
We also reaffirm the importance of implementing the One Health approach among
other holistic approaches. We also reaffirm the importance of promoting the
achievement of sustainable production and consumption patterns as well as
sustainable and resilient food systems while acknowledging different national
circumstances. We note the importance of sustainable agricultural development
and of supporting developing countries in promoting it, as an important tool for
achieving food security and nutrition for all.

21. We strongly welcome the adoption of the historic Kunming-Montreal Global

Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) at CBD COP-15 in December 2022. We are
seriously concerned by the worldwide deterioration of biodiversity at rates
unprecedented in human history and are thus committed to the swift and full
implementation of all the goals and targets of the KMGBF and will take urgent
actions, in order to achieve its 2030 mission to halt and reverse biodiversity loss,
and its 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature.

22. G20 parties to the CBD commit to revise, update and submit their National
Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in alignment with the KMGBF
and its goals and targets or communicate, in advance of the full submission of
NBSAPs, national targets reflecting, as applicable, all the goals and targets of the
KMGBF, by the 16th Conference of Parties (COP 16) to the UN Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2024 and call on others to do the same, recognizing
that the goals and targets of the Framework are global in nature and that each Party
will contribute towards their attainment in accordance with national
circumstances, priorities and capabilities.

23. We promote integrated action and commit to enhance ecosystem resilience

through protection, conservation, sustainable use and restoration measures,

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 climate mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk reduction actions, including
through nature-based solutions, ecosystem-based approaches and other
management and conservation approaches. We will strengthen the coherence and
complementarity of our climate, biodiversity and land actions to achieve greater
outcomes including optimizing co-benefits.

24. We will enhance our efforts and cooperation to achieve Land Degradation
Neutrality, as set out in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.3, and the related
focus of the strategic framework of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
We also stress the importance of achieving the land degradation neutrality target
for meeting climate and environmental goals.

25. We will scale up efforts to protect, conserve, sustainably use, and sustainably
manage and restore all ecosystems and we recognize that the destruction of
peatlands, mangroves, coral reefs, grasslands, forests, and other ecosystems
contribute to climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation. We will also
scale up efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and combat deforestation,
desertification, land degradation and drought, as well as restoring degraded land
to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030. We recognize that the poorest are
the most vulnerable to the impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change and we
also recognize climate change impacts forests as well as local communities and
Indigenous Peoples in forest areas. We therefore emphasize the importance of
supporting local communities and Indigenous Peoples, creating conditions for
them to sustainably manage forests, and promoting trade in forest products, that
are legally harvested, according to domestic legislation, and sustainably produced.
Additionally, policies aimed at curbing deforestation must take into account the
social and economic challenges of local communities and Indigenous Peoples. We
highlight the social, cultural, economic, and environmental benefits of forests to
people, and the contributions of conservation, protection, restoration, sustainable
use and sustainable management of forests for sustainable development. We
recognize that forests provide crucial ecosystem services at the global and local
level for the environment and for people and play an important role for global
climate regulation and the conservation of biodiversity. In this regard, we are
committed to mobilizing new and additional finance for forests, from all sources
including from domestic, international, public and private resources and including
innovative financing schemes. We also recognize the importance of collective
work, including community based and Indigenous led efforts, to deliver integrated
solutions to support the protection, conservation and restoration of forests. We
affirm that green economy policies, including unilateral ones, should not constitute
a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on
international trade. We reiterate our commitment to reduce degraded land and

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 enhance coral reefs conservation and restoration as stated under Saudi
Arabia Presidency in 2020, and we commend the recent efforts of G20 members in
the protection, conservation, restoration and sustainable management of forests
and effectively tackling deforestation, addressing their environmental, social and
economic dimensions.

26. We acknowledge that forest fires/ wildfires contribute to global carbon emissions
and air pollution and that high intensity forest fires/ wildfires may affect the
conservation and regeneration of ecosystems and their functions and services and
can exacerbate climate change, land degradation and biodiversity loss. We
recognize the importance of preventing and managing forest fires/ wildfires and
restoring forest fire/ wildfire impacted land as appropriate to help achieve SDG 15,
and global land degradation targets. We will therefore scale up efforts to enhance
collaboration and action at local, regional, and international level on the
prevention, where appropriate and feasible, and reduction of impacts of forest
fires/ wildfires and the restoration of forest fire/ wildfire impacted land. In
addition, we resolve to actively implement sustainable forestry practices with
community involvement and Indigenous Knowledge and techniques as an
important strategy for the better conservation of natural resources together with
reduced impacts from forest fires/ wildfires.

27. We note the importance of the remediation of degraded mining lands and the
science-based restoration of their ecosystems which is necessary to address
environmental degradation and can have co-benefits including soil formation,
biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, sustainable forest management
and the improved quality and availability of water resources. We note that while
mining is important to the accomplishment of the 2030 Agenda, in particular
Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 12, it can have negative environment and
climate impacts. We recognize the importance of the good management of mining
sites including, where appropriate, restoration and remediation activities, and
encourage responsible mining practices including by combatting illegal mining and
other illegal activities associated with the mining value chain, including illicit
financial flows deriving from them, to minimize such impacts. In this regard, we
restate UNEA Resolution 4/19 and UNEA Resolution 5/12 encouraging all
countries to align our mining practices and investments in mining with the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development, along the full life cycle of minerals and
metals, from both the public and private sectors. We are committed to putting
people first through public and community participation, and will, as set out in
relevant international instruments, contribute to human well-being and will
respect, protect and promote human rights and the rights, as well as the traditional
knowledge, of Indigenous Peoples as set out in the UNDRIP, in the remediation and

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 restoration of degraded mining land. We reaffirm the role of international
cooperation in assisting developing countries in strengthening their human,
institutional and technological capacity.

28. We acknowledge the importance of restoring, where feasible and appropriate,

forest-fire/ wildfire impacted areas and mining degraded lands, to contribute to
achieving, among others, relevant SDGs, the KMGBF, the UNCCD Strategic
Framework and, on a voluntary basis, G20 targets, including through nature-based
solutions, ecosystem-based approaches and other management and conservation
approaches.

29. We restate our support for the G20 Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation
and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats (G20 Global Land Initiative)
and recognize its contribution to the G20 ambition to achieve a 50 per cent
reduction of degraded land by 2040, on a voluntary basis, building on the work of
the past presidencies including Saudi Arabia, Italy and Indonesia. In this context,
we note the release of the Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap (GIR) and
Gandhinagar Information Platform (GIP) paper as well as Compendiums by the
Indian Presidency. We thank the Presidency for its efforts in developing such
documents and initiatives. We note that we can voluntarily contribute to the
implementation of these Presidency initiatives, as appropriate.

30. We recognize that urgent policy action is required globally, regionally and
nationally to achieve sustainable development so that the drivers of undesirable
change that have exacerbated biodiversity loss will be reduced and/or reversed.
We note in this regard, the direct drivers (such as changes in land and sea use,
direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution and invasion of alien
species) and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss that have been highlighted in the
Global Assessment Report on biodiversity and ecosystem services issued by IPBES
in 2019.

31. We reiterate, in line with the KMGBF, the commitments, by 2030, to ensure that at
least 30 per cent of areas of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine and
coastal ecosystems are under effective restoration and to ensure and enable that
at least 30 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas, and of marine and coastal
areas are effectively conserved and managed, while ensuring that any sustainable
use, where appropriate in such areas, is fully consistent with conservation
outcomes, and urge others to do the same. We also commit to address the impacts
of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem services in line with the
KMGBF. We are committed to reducing pollution risks and the negative impact of
pollution from all sources to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity and

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 ecosystem functions and services. We recall the KMGBF commitment to do so
including by reducing excess nutrients lost to the environment and the overall
risks from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals, based on science, by at least
half, taking into account food security and livelihoods, and preventing, reducing,
and working towards eliminating plastic pollution. We recall the KMGBF
commitment and related CBD COP 15 decisions to take effective legal, policy,
administrative and capacity building measures at all levels, as appropriate, and in
line with applicable international access and benefit sharing instruments, to
ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from the utilization of
genetic resources and from the digital sequence information on these resources.
We are committed to ensuring that the management and use of wild species are
sustainable, thereby providing social, economic, and environmental benefits for
people, especially those in vulnerable situations and those most dependent on
biodiversity, including through sustainable biodiversity-based activities, products
and services that enhance biodiversity, and protecting and encouraging customary
sustainable use by local communities and Indigenous Peoples. In line with the
KMGBF, we are committed to ensure that areas under agriculture, aquaculture,
fisheries and forestry are managed sustainably, in particular through the
sustainable use of biodiversity, including through a substantial increase of the
application of biodiversity friendly practices, such as sustainable intensification,
agroecological and other innovative approaches, contributing to the resilience and
long-term efficiency and productivity of these production systems, and to food
security, conserving and restoring biodiversity and maintaining nature’s
contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services.

32. We recall the KMGBF commitment to mainstream and ensure the full integration
of biodiversity and its multiple values across all sectors and policies, progressively
aligning all relevant public and private activities, and fiscal and financial flows by
2030. We recognize the positive role that businesses and financial institutions can
play to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. We are committed, in line with the
KMGBF, to encourage and enable business to progressively reduce negative and
increase positive impacts on biodiversity, reduce their biodiversity-related risks,
and promote actions to ensure sustainable patterns of production, and G20
members party to the CBD are further committed to ensure that large and
transnational companies and financial institutions transparently disclose their
risks, dependencies and impacts on biodiversity, including with requirements;
provide information needed to consumers to promote sustainable consumption
patterns; and report on compliance with access and benefit-sharing regulations
and measures, as applicable. We recognize the importance of work on nature
related financial disclosures and take note with interest the multiple efforts to
develop disclosure frameworks and we encourage cooperation to elaborate

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 sustainability standards, and we note, among others, the work of the Taskforce on
Nature Related Financial Disclosures.
33. We reaffirm the need to quick-start and sustain resource mobilization as well as
scale up and align resources for the implementation of the Framework. We
reiterate our commitment to substantially and progressively increase the level of
financial resources from all sources in an effective, timely and easily accessible
manner, including domestic, international, public, and private resources, in
accordance, for those G20 members party to the CBD, with Article 20 of the CBD.
We encourage non-G20 members as well as other entities to also contribute to this
work, in order to make sure, that the KMGBF financing goals and targets are
achieved. G20 parties to the CBD reiterate that mobilizing at least USD 200 billion
per year by 2030, from all sources, is necessary to fully implement the goals and
targets of the KMGBF and the NBSAPs that includes the commitment to increase
total biodiversity related international financial resources from developed
countries, including official development assistance, and from countries that
voluntarily assume obligations of developed country Parties, to developing
countries, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing
States, as well as countries with economies in transition, to at least USD 20 billion
per year by 2025, and to at least USD 30 billion per year by 2030. In this context,
we further commit to leveraging private finance, promoting blended finance,
implementing strategies for raising new and additional resources, and
encouraging the private sector to invest in biodiversity, including through impact
funds and other instruments including but not limited to payment for ecosystem
services. We welcome the establishment of the Global Biodiversity Framework
Fund (GBF Fund) within the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and will work
together for its successful launch in August 2023, noting the importance of
contributions from all sources and we also welcome new initiatives, including but
not limited to the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, the High Ambition Coalition for
Nature and People 2.0, the Legacy Landscapes Fund, the Kunming Biodiversity
Fund, the Japan Biodiversity Fund and other instruments and encourage public and
private donors to contribute to them with a view to closing the biodiversity
financing gap and making adequate and predictable resources available in a timely
manner for the effective implementation of the KMGBF. We welcome the record 8th
replenishment of the GEF and call upon the GEF to further reform its operations to
ensure adequacy, predictability, and the timely flow of funds by establishing easy
and effective access modalities. We are committed to working with all CBD Parties
to support the finalization of the mechanisms for planning, monitoring, reporting
and review of the KMGBF including the sets of indicators, and implement them.We
recall the call in the CBD COP Decision 15/7 for fundamental transformation of the
global financial architecture and the international finance institutions to make
them fit for purpose in supporting implementation of the KMGBF, sustainable

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 development and just transitions in developing countries. We reaffirm the crucial
role of the MDBs long-term support towards achieving the SDGs.

34. Those G20 members party to the CBD also reiterate our commitment to identify
incentives, including subsidies, harmful for biodiversity by 2025 and to eliminate,
phase out or reform them in a proportionate, just, fair, effective and equitable way,
while substantially and progressively reducing them by at least USD 500 billion per
year by 2030, starting with the most harmful, and scale up positive incentives for
the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

35. We recall the specific challenges faced by developing countries and are dedicated
to strengthen capacity-building and development, and promote development of
and access to innovation and technical and scientific cooperation, including
through South-South, North-South and triangular cooperation, to meet the needs
for effective implementation, particularly in developing countries, fostering joint
technology development and joint scientific research programmes for the
protection, conservation, sustainable use and restoration of biodiversity and
strengthening scientific research and monitoring capacities, commensurate with
the ambition of the goals and targets of the Framework. G20 Parties to the CBD are
also dedicated to strengthen access to and transfer of technology, as specified in
Target 20 of the KMGBF.

SUSTAINABLE AND INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

36. We note with concern the increasing water stress and declining water quality
globally, including increased drought and flood events, due to the impacts of
climate change, unsustainable water resource management, unsustainable
demand, ecosystem degradation, pollution, and the risks they pose to equitable and
sustainable access to water. We recall the UN General Assembly resolution 76/153,
“The human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation.” We also recognize that
water, sanitation, and hygiene are fundamental for sustainable development and
critical for economic development, health, women’s empowerment and necessary
for lifting communities out of poverty. We highlight that, despite increased global
efforts to sustainably manage water resources, meeting the SDG 6 drinking water,
sanitation, and hygiene targets by 2030 requires accelerated action. We commit to
enhance action to achieve SDG 6 and the water-related goals of the 2030 Agenda
and to consider with appreciation the initiative of the SDG 6 Global Acceleration
Framework. We will take action to prevent the unsustainable consumption of
water resources, and implement sustainable and integrated water resource
management. We further resolve to prevent and reverse the degradation of water-
related ecosystems, including through river and wetland restoration, halting and

15
 reversing biodiversity loss, addressing land degradation and restoring water
quality, and encourage the implementation of sustainable agricultural and other
land use sector practices. We commit to take action to improve water quality, and
reduce the risks associated with water‐related disasters and climate change,
through available measures, including through nature-based solutions, ecosystem-
based approaches and other management and conservation approaches, and the
development of new sustainable technologies, emphasizing the need for inclusive
engagement, involving local communities, as well as Indigenous Peoples.

37. We stress the importance of enhancing global cooperation on water and

intersectoral action and welcome the deliberations at the UN 2023 Water
Conference. We call for the appointment of a UN Special Envoy on Water, as soon
as possible, who will contribute to positive actions aimed at meeting global water
challenges. We also stress the importance of strengthening the role of UN Water
and ensuring an integrated approach by the UN and accelerating the
mainstreaming of water across relevant UN processes, including at the 2023 SDG
Summit in September, and the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the
UNFCCC as well as through future and regular UN Water Conferences. We commit
to strengthen multi partner and stakeholder cooperation and collaboration,
including through sharing best practices and innovation to enhance sustainable
resilient and integrated water resource management at all appropriate levels
including river basin scale. We further extend support to the sharing of knowledge
and identification of opportunities for cooperation via the G20 Water Dialogue.

38. We recognize the importance of the interlinkages between water, energy, food, and
ecosystems. We therefore emphasize the need for integrated planning and
sustainable management of water resources across sectors at all levels including
at the river basin level and through cooperation between countries, as appropriate.
In this context, we further emphasize the role of transboundary dialogue in
enhancing cooperation on water related issues. We further acknowledge the
benefits of cooperation at all appropriate levels, including the river basin scale,
exchanging information on mutually agreed terms, and scaling up joint efforts to
manage water sustainably. We promote building partner and stakeholder capacity,
in particular for women and girls, Indigenous Peoples, local and
underrepresented/ disadvantaged communities, youth, children, older persons
and persons with disabilities, for an integrated, cross-sectoral approach to
sustainably manage water resources. We commit to collective action for inclusive
development which is resilient to climate change and environmental challenges.
We advocate for the development of early warning systems and disaster risk
reduction strategies to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events on water
resources and vulnerable communities. We underscore the benefits of sustainable

16
 infrastructure for improved water management. In this context, we reiterate the
importance of an inclusive engagement with local communities as well as
Indigenous Peoples.

39. We highlight the need for enhancing water stewardship, through sustainable and
integrated water resources management, strengthening food, nutrition and energy
security, flood and drought management, including prevention, mitigation and
adaptation, and ensuring safe drinking water supply sanitation and hygiene. We
emphasize the urgent need to increase the efficiency of water utilization, including
through measurement, nature-based solutions, ecosystem-based approaches,
other management and conservation approaches, adoption of sustainable
technology and participatory approaches. We encourage sharing of best practice.
We further reiterate the importance of water conservation in water-stressed
situations across the world, and promote measures such as rainwater harvesting,
artificial recharge of groundwater, protection, sustainable management and
restoration of water bodies, aquifer management, and the safe reuse and recycling
of treated wastewater.

40. We thank the Presidency for its efforts in compiling a compendium of best
practices of G20 members in this area to help further the G20 Dialogue on Water,
to be shared through the G20 Water Platform.

PROTECTING AND CONSERVING THE OCEAN, PROMOTING A

SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT BLUE/OCEAN-BASED ECONOMY

41. We highlight the importance of a clean, safe, healthy, productive ocean and
resilient coastal and marine ecosystems and their biodiversity. We acknowledge
that a healthy ocean also provides the basis for a sustainable and resilient Blue/
Ocean-based Economy providing livelihoods for at least 3 billion people that
depend on them directly or indirectly, particularly in coastal areas and Small Island
Developing States.

42. We welcome the adoption of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological
diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) and we call on all countries
for its early entry into force and implementation. We highlight its importance in
strengthening the governance of areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the
high seas. We recognize the crucial role of this agreement, in complementarity with
the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and other relevant
agreements, for achieving our collective commitment to halt and reverse
biodiversity loss.

17
43. In the context of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), we commit to engage in
the development of a clear, robust and effective regulatory framework on deep
seabed mineral exploitation that ensures effective protection for the marine
environment from harmful effects which may arise from such activities, as
required under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, taking into
account ISA Council decision ISBA/28/C/24.

44. We are accelerating efforts to protect, conserve, restore and sustainably use the
ocean, seas and marine resources for sustainable development as reflected in
Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) and other related goals and targets of
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this regard, we further note that
protecting, conserving, restoring, and sustainably using the ocean, seas and marine
resources for sustainable development faces a significant financing gap and, in this
context, we recognize the potential and need for scaling up sustainable finance
from all sources. We look forward to the next UN Ocean Conference in France, and
co-presided over by Costa Rica, in 2025 to make progress on the comprehensive
implementation of SDG 14 and further elevate ocean issues in the international
arena.

45. We reiterate our commitment to protect, conserve, restore, and sustainably use
coastal and marine ecosystems and their biodiversity and to support a just and
inclusive transition to a sustainable Blue/ Ocean-based Economy, utilizing robust
evidence and science. In this regard, we commit to strengthen our efforts
consistently with national circumstances, respective capabilities and priorities. We
reaffirm our commitment to achieving the mission, goals and targets set under the
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including taking urgent action
to ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water,
and of coastal and marine areas are effectively conserved and managed, as well as
supporting the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and the UN
Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). We will
improve the protection, conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of marine
and coastal biodiversity and ecosystems, recognizing that this provides multiple
benefits, including as natural carbon sinks, for building resilience to climate change
and for improving water quality and reducing pollution levels.

46. We resolve to strengthen international co-operation, address scientific gaps,

mainstream community involvement while fostering the protection and inclusion
of traditional knowledge, engaging Indigenous Peoples, and enhancing knowledge
and data sharing, capacity building, equitable benefit sharing and technology

18
 development, deployment, and dissemination. We will further identify synergies
for scientific collaboration among countries.

47. We recall the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing
Climate and acknowledge that the ocean plays a critical role in the global carbon
cycle. Healthy coastal and marine ecosystems, including mangrove forests,
seagrass meadows, coral reefs, kelp forests, peatlands, wetlands, and tidal
marshes, are vital for climate change mitigation, including as natural carbon sinks,
as well as for halting and reversing biodiversity loss. We further acknowledge that
such ecosystems act as natural barriers against high tides and storm surges, as well
as curtail saltwater intrusion, contributing to climate change resilience and
adaptation. We welcome G20 members and other countries joining existing
initiatives designed to scale up and accelerate the conservation and restoration of
these ecosystems, and call on other countries to join, recognizing the ecological and
socio-economic benefits including strengthening the resilience of coastal
infrastructure and communities. We commit to strengthening collaborations on
research and development, and technological innovation for ocean-based climate
mitigation and adaptation.

48. We acknowledge that the leakage of waste, including marine litter and plastic
pollution into the environment, has grave impacts especially on coastal and marine
ecosystems and their biodiversity, as well as posing related risks to human health.
We further acknowledge that, while the main sources of marine litter and plastic
pollution are land-based, sea-based sources, including abandoned, lost or
otherwise discarded fishing gear, known as ghost gear, should also be addressed.
Building on the G20 Marine Litter Action Plan, its Implementation Framework, the
Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, we resolve to step up our actions for tackling marine
litter. We welcome the Fifth Report on the G20 Implementation Framework for
Actions against Marine Plastic Litter coordinated by India and supported by Japan
and reiterate our commitment to act at the global level cooperating with non-G20
countries and other partners and stakeholders. We further encourage
transparency through the generation and sharing of robust data on the amount and
flows of marine litter. We commit to strengthen and promote sustainable
consumption and production of plastics, including through resource efficiency and
circular economy approaches and the environmentally sound management of
waste.

49. We are determined to end plastic pollution, and in this context, we welcome the
resolution UNEP/EA.5/Res.14 adopted in March 2022 which established an
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international
legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine

19
 environment. We further commit to play a constructive and inclusive role in the
negotiations, with the ambition of completing the work by the end of 2024. We
highlight the importance of taking a comprehensive approach that addresses the
full lifecycle of plastic, taking into account, among other things, the principles of
the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development as well as national
circumstances and capabilities. In this regard, we welcome the results of the
second session of the INC, and the mandate given to the Chair of the Committee.
We commit to meaningful, constructive, and inclusive participation in the third
session, scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, in November, 2023.

50. We take note of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s ‘MSPGlobal

International Guide on Marine Spatial Planning’ and recognize the importance of
comprehensive Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) through bilateral and multilateral
collaboration , where appropriate, and taking into account the interests of coastal
countries, to balance Blue /Ocean-based Economy activities such as those related
to shipping and ports, coastal and maritime tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and
offshore renewable energy, while ensuring the conservation, protection,
restoration, and sustainable use of marine and coastal ecosystems and enhancing
the climate adaptation and mitigation potential of the ocean. We highlight the
importance of supporting sustainable shipping practices and in this context, recall
the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.

51. We further support the safety, health and well-being of fishers and effective
communication mechanisms at sea. We advocate for decent working conditions in
fishing, and promote the sustainable and transparent management of fisheries
resources through an ecosystem-based fisheries management approach that
contributes to the protection, conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of
marine biodiversity, including both habitat and species. We are determined to step
up our efforts to prevent and combat crimes that affect the marine environment,
to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing,
and eliminate destructive fishing methods in accordance with international law.
We also welcome the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies adopted at the 12th
Ministerial Conference, as a contribution to sustainable fisheries and use of marine
resources and we look forward to building on this agreement with additional rules
on certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and
overfishing recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential
treatment for developing country WTO Members and least developed country
WTO Members should be an integral part of negotiations.

52. In the context of the Antarctic Treaty System, we fully support the long-standing
commitment under the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine

20
 Living Resources (CCAMLR) to establish a representative system of Marine
Protected Areas (MPAs) in the CCAMLR Convention Area, including designating
additional MPAs in particular in Eastern Antarctica, the Weddell Sea and in the
Western Antarctic Peninsula, based on the best available scientific evidence.

53. We welcome the convening of the ‘Ocean 20 Dialogue’ on 21 May 2023, in Mumbai
for highlighting priority actions in sustainable marine resources management,
ocean-based climate change mitigation and adaptation, and scaling up sustainable
finance. We acknowledge the importance of active community participation,
Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems that promote sustainable
management and efficient use of natural resources and sustainable lifestyles,
international cooperation, and cooperation with the scientific community and the
private sector in preventing and combatting coastal and marine pollution. We also
welcome the valuable opportunities for data gathering and monitoring that can be
provided alongside mitigation, including through international cooperation, by
practical and action-oriented initiatives like the coordinated global beach cleaning
efforts undertaken on 21 May 2023, led by the Indian G20 Presidency.

54. We thank the Presidency for the efforts in developing the technical study, entitled
“Accelerating the Transition to a Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy”. We
adopt the ‘Chennai High Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue/
Ocean-based Economy’, as annexed, that may be implemented by the G20 members
on a voluntary basis, based on national circumstances and priorities.

PROMOTING RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY,

PREVENTING POLLUTION AND MINIMIZING ITS RISKS

55. We acknowledge that resource efficiency and circular economy are important tools
available for the achievement of sustainable development and that they can
contribute significantly to sustainable consumption and production as well as to
addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and pollution. We
recall our 2021 G20 vision to drive forward actions in this area in order to help
achieve these environmental goals and contribute to the achievement of SDG 12
and other relevant SDGs. To achieve this vision, we continue to encourage relevant
actions, in accordance with national priorities and policies. We acknowledge the
importance of taking appropriate actions and promoting sustainable development
and lifestyles, scaling up sustainable practices along the value chains. We note the
need to consider approaches and policies for achieving sustainable production and
consumption when developing relevant national policies, sustainable development
strategies and sector policies or equivalents, in order to endeavour to decouple

21
 economic growth from environmental degradation and primary resource
consumption, as mentioned in the UNEA 4/1 Resolution. We are working to
encourage and enable people to make sustainable consumption choices. G20
members Party to the CBD reiterate their commitment to ensure that people are
encouraged and enabled to make sustainable consumption choices and by 2030,
reduce the global footprint of consumption in an equitable manner. We recognize
the specific challenges faced by developing countries in this regard.

56. We recognize that steel sector is fundamental for comprehensive economic

development, especially in developing countries yet its environmental footprint
has been and continues to be of concern. We note that steel can be recycled without
loss of properties, which makes it useful to contribute to a more circular economy.
Therefore, we recognize the need, and we will take appropriate actions taking into
account national circumstances, to enable product design and material efficiency
improvements including in cooperation with the private sector and a more
systematic recycling of steel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from this sector
and to reduce environmental impacts. In this regard, we thank the Presidency for
its efforts in developing relevant documents in this area.

57. We acknowledge that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), where

implemented according to national or domestic circumstances, is one of the
important tools, for promoting circular economy and meeting sustainable
development goals, and we therefore seek to enhance the implementation of
domestic EPR schemes and related national policy measures as appropriate. In this
regard, we thank the Presidency for its efforts in developing relevant documents
in this area.

58. We recognize the wide range of sustainable biological feedstocks, including

agricultural and other biological waste streams and plants suited for use on
degraded land where this is the most appropriate rehabilitation approach, that can
be utilized in advancing a circular and sustainable bioeconomy. In this regard, we
thank the Presidency for its efforts in developing relevant documents in this area.

59. We acknowledge the role of industry in advancing resource efficiency and circular
economy. Acknowledging also that businesses can play a significant role through
their value chains in enhancing resource efficiency and circular economy, we note
the importance of increasing action towards ensuring transparency on relevant
information along the entire value chains, on a voluntary basis and/or in
accordance with national or domestic regulations. We thank the Indian Presidency
for its efforts in launching the industry led Resource Efficiency and Circular
Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) to promote resource efficiency and circular

22
 economy in industry. We invite the G20 Resource Efficiency Dialogue to consider
engagement with the RECEIC to leverage synergies and to strengthen actions on
resource efficiency and circular economy.

60. We reaffirm our commitment to the G20 Resource Efficiency Dialogue (G20RED)
and, building on related initiatives by past G20 presidencies, task the Dialogue to
update its Roadmap 2021-2023 by the end of this year in light of our commitments
on resource efficiency and circular economy.

61. We restate our commitment to substantially reduce waste generation through

prevention and where not possible, reduction, recycling and reuse by 2030 inter-
alia by applying the waste hierarchy and preventing illegal cross-border traffic of
waste. In this context, we note the opportunities provided by zero-waste
initiatives, in line with the UN General Assembly Resolution 77/161. We also
recognize the need of supporting developing countries in strengthening their
capacity to enhance environmentally sound waste management.

62. We commit to address pollution, in a balanced manner to protect human health

and the environment to help realize sustainable development and to achieve the
vision of living in harmony with nature. We will further actively work towards
preventing chemical pollution or when not feasible, minimizing its associated
risks. In line with UNEA resolution 5/7, we will work together for the further
development of an ambitious, improved enabling framework to address the sound
management of chemical and waste beyond 2020, reflecting a lifecycle approach
and the need to achieve sustainable consumption and production, and addressing
the means of implementation of the framework to be put in place at the ICCM 5 and
for the establishment of a Science-Policy Panel pursuant to UNEA Resolution 5/8.

63. Deliberations among G20 members covered issues related to mitigation including
the findings of the latest IPCC report and global modelled pathways. Some G20
members emphasized the need for a global peaking of emissions no later than
2025, and reduction in emissions by 60% by 2035 over 2019 levels. Gaps in
climate scenarios and models, depleting carbon budgets, historical, current and
projected emissions were discussed, and need for actions for reducing non-CO2
greenhouse gas emissions including methane by 2030 was emphasized.
Investment requirements in clean energy technologies to reach net zero, as well as
for a global transformation to a low-carbon economy were also discussed. Further
discussions covered the issue of financing including developing countries’ financial
needs to implement their NDCs, transformation of the financial systems, Article
2.1c, and Article 9 of the Paris Agreement regarding support from developed
countries. Some G20 members also stated that both emissions reduction and

23
 removals are important for achieving the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement.
Some G20 members stated the need for reaching net zero by 2040 by developed
countries.

64. Recalling the G20 Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Goa on 22 July 2023, the urgency of
accelerating efforts towards clean energy transitions was recognized. The
discussions covered a range of issues including, inter alia, the climate energy nexus,
further accelerating the scaling up of renewable energy, tripling of renewable
energy capacity, phasing down of unabated fossil fuels, doubling the global rate of
improvement of energy efficiency, scaling up of already available low and zero
emission technologies, carbon removal and abatement technologies,
diversification of energy mix, net zero energy systems and access to low-cost
financing for developing countries. The importance of leadership role of the G20,
and progress in mitigation commitments in recent COP decisions was emphasized
in the context of keeping 1.5 degrees alive. There exist divergent views among G20
members on the mandate of the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working
Group to discuss energy issues in light of the existence of a separate Energy
Transition Working Group. There also exist divergent views on the issues of energy
transitions and how to reflect them in this document. G20 members expressed
views reiterating their positions.

65. Some members expressed the need for deliberation on the issue of disguised trade
restrictions and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on the grounds of
climate action, and several members were not in agreement regarding the same.

Geopolitical Issue

66. The war in Ukraine has further adversely impacted the global economy. There was
a discussion on the issue. We reiterated our national positions as expressed in
other fora, including the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, which,
in Resolution No. ES-11/1 dated 2 March 2022, as adopted by majority vote (141
votes for, 5 against, 35 abstentions, 12 absent) deplores in the strongest terms the
aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete
and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine. Most members
strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it is causing immense human
suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy – constraining
growth, increasing inflation, disrupting supply chains, heightening energy and food
insecurity, and elevating financial stability risks. There were other views and
different assessments of the situation and sanctions. Recognizing that the G20 is

24
 not the forum to resolve security issues, we acknowledge that security issues can
have significant consequences for the global economy 1,2.

67. It is essential to uphold international law and the multilateral system that
safeguards peace and stability. This includes defending all the Purposes and
Principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and adhering to
international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and
infrastructure in armed conflicts. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is
inadmissible. The peaceful resolution of conflicts, efforts to address crises, as well
as diplomacy and dialogue, are vital. Today's era must not be of war.

CONCLUSION

68. We express our sincere appreciation to the Indian Presidency for its dedication and
leadership through 2023. We thank all the G20 members, invitee countries, and
International Organizations for their contributions. We look forward to meeting
again in Brazil, extending full support for their upcoming G20 Presidency in 2024
and continuing work on environment and climate sustainability priorities.

1
Russia recognizes the status of this document as Chair’s Summary due to inclusion of Paragraph 66, as well as the
non-agreed paragraphs that do not reflect a variety of countries’ environment and climate policies and pathways of
their implementation. Russia supports the consensus language. Russia has expressed its distinct view on the situation
in Ukraine, geopolitical tensions, sanctions and certain topics of environment and climate agenda during the
meeting.
2
China stated that the G20 ECSWG is not the right platform to address security issues and opposed the inclusion of
the geopolitical related content.

25
 ANNEX TO G20 ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE MINISTERS’
Outcome Document & Chair’s Summary 2023

CHENNAI HIGH LEVEL PRINCIPLES FOR A SUSTAINABLE AND

RESILIENT BLUE/ OCEAN-BASED ECONOMY

INTRODUCTION:
Building upon the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 14, as
well as the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, the CBD, the Kunming-Montreal Global
Biodiversity Framework, the BBNJ agreement under UNCLOS, the Lisbon Declaration of
the UN Ocean Conference, the UNEA resolutions on plastic pollution, the WTO
Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, and the broader ongoing efforts of the G20 on issues
related to the ocean and sustainable growth, the G20 High Level Principles for a
Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy address sustainable economic growth,
protection, conservation, restoration and sustainable use of the marine environment,
social equity, gender equality, and human development. Recognising the criticality of the
ocean and its resources, and the growing threats to the marine environment and
biodiversity from climate change, marine pollution, unsustainable exploitation and
illegal activities that affect the marine environment, the G20 High Level Principles may
be implemented by the G20 members, on a voluntary basis, as per national
circumstances and priorities, considering appropriate support for developing countries.

PRINCIPLE 1. Prioritise Ocean Health: Address Marine Pollution, Halt and Reverse
Biodiversity Loss and Conserve Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and marine pollution from all sources, such as from plastics, air pollutants, and
other persistent pollutants, including those deriving from the maritime sector,
unsustainable exploitation and illegal activities that affect the marine environment,
climate change, and invasive alien species pose growing threats to coastal and marine
biodiversity with significant ecological and socio-economic consequences. A Sustainable
and Resilient Blue/ Ocean-based Economy should contribute to the protection,
conservation, sustainable use, and restoration of marine biodiversity and the health of
coastal and marine ecosystems, including through increasing biodiversity friendly
practices, in accordance with national circumstances and capabilities. It should also
contribute to achieving the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global
Biodiversity Framework, including taking urgent action to ensure and enable that by
2030 at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas are
effectively conserved and managed, and to implementing the Agreement under the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable
use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). A

26
Sustainable and Resilient Blue/ Ocean-based Economy should further contribute to the
reduction of marine pollution of all kinds, including from land-based and sea-based
activities. Actions on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, should be
taken based on a comprehensive lifecycle approach that includes sustainable
consumption and production, resource efficiency and circularity in the economy,
scientific and socio-economic assessments, and environmentally sound management of
waste. Any dumping of waste and discharge at sea must strictly observe applicable
international obligations and safety standards for the prevention of marine pollution, in
particular noting the importance of preventing and combatting the illegal dumping of
waste and discharge at sea.

PRINCIPLE 2. Acknowledge and address the links between Ocean and Climate
A healthy ocean and its coastal and marine ecosystems are very important in our fight
against climate change. In this regard, nature-based solutions, ecosystem-based
approaches and other management and conservation approaches can provide co-
benefits such as coping with extreme weather events and sea level rise by providing
solutions for climate adaptation and serving as natural carbon sinks. Current and
projected impacts of climate change adversely affect nearly all sectors of the Blue/
Ocean-based Economy and also affect the ability of the ocean and its ecosystems to
stabilize the Earth’s climate. It is important for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue/ Ocean-
based Economy to recognise the ocean-climate interlinkages and the opportunities for
climate change mitigation and adaptation through sustainable ocean-based actions, by,
inter alia protecting, conserving, sustainably using, and restoring coastal and marine
ecosystems; harnessing the full potential of low and zero GHG emissions energy sources
including renewables; enhancing sustainability of ocean-based industries; and
furthering research on the potential of safe and effective use of ocean-based carbon
dioxide removal and sequestration, including on potential opportunities, and on
preventing the possible risks of impacts on the environment. At the same time, taking
into account the need to address existing inequalities and support those coastal
communities which are vulnerable to extreme climate events, a Sustainable, Resilient
and Inclusive Blue/ Ocean-based Economy should incorporate adaptation measures,
including nature-based solutions, ecosystem-based approaches and other management
and conservation approaches, and technologies, informed by science, Indigenous
knowledge and local perspectives, to enhance the adaptive capacity of coastal
communities and the Blue/ Ocean-based Economy against the impacts of climate
change.

PRINCIPLE 3. Promote Social and Inter-generational Equity and Gender Equality

It is crucial for Blue/ Ocean-based Economy strategies and policy frameworks to
promote social equity and inter-generational equity and gender equality. Transparent
and inclusive approaches are important for empowering women and communities and

27
Indigenous Peoples, to fully and effectively participate in the planning, decision making
and implementation processes through appropriate skill development and benefit from
the economic opportunities provided by the sustainable Blue/ Ocean-based Economy.
Additionally, all communities and individuals, including Indigenous Peoples, young
people, and women, should be empowered to contribute to the sustainability of the
Blue/ Ocean-based Economy and adopt sustainable lifestyles that reduce negative
impacts on the coastal and marine environment.

PRINCIPLE 4. Promote the use of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) for an Integrated
Approach to the Blue/ Ocean-based Economy
A sustainable and resilient Blue/ Ocean-based Economy requires effective engagement
and participation of all partners and stakeholders across all sectors. Maritime sectors
such as fisheries, aquaculture, ports and shipping, marine science and technology,
energy, tourism, and other emerging sectors, have varying needs, ambitions, and
environmental impacts. MSP is a science-based, collaborative and participatory
approach for managing ocean spaces, which recognises the full array of interactions
within an ecosystem, balances diverse human uses and takes into account the need for
marine protection and conservation. Adopting such an ecosystem based and
participatory spatial approach at the national, sub-national and regional levels, taking
into account the interests of coastal countries, can contribute to (i) balancing the
increasing number, diversity, and intensity of human activities with the ocean’s health
and thus long-term ability to provide and sustain ecosystem services; (ii) incorporating
appropriate ecological, economic, social, and cultural perspectives; and (iii) supporting
science and information-based management that is coordinated at the ecosystem scale.
In order to be effective in the long term, it is important for marine spatial plans to take
into account the changing climate and build resilience, and contribute to halt and
reverse biodiversity loss and fight against pollution.

PRINCIPLE 5. Leverage Science, Technology, and Innovation

Creating a sustainable and resilient Blue/Ocean-based Economy requires a concerted
focus on supporting science, technology, and innovation, building on international
cooperation between scientists, public entities, businesses, and knowledge institutions.
Existing and emerging technology-based, ecosystem-based, nature-based, and social
innovations, informed by robust science, help generate and implement new solutions to
minimise the negative impacts of maritime sectors and industries on the climate as well
as marine and coastal environment, and can contribute to sustainability, resource
efficiency and circular economy, reaching global net zero greenhouse gas
emissions/carbon neutrality by or around mid-century, building resilience against
adverse impacts of climate change, ensuring protection, conservation, sustainable use,
and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems, halting and reversing biodiversity

28
 loss, reducing pollution, and creating opportunities for prosperity and sustainable
livelihoods.

PRINCIPLE 6. Recognise, Protect, and Utilise Indigenous and Traditional

Knowledge
Effective management of the coastal and marine environment requires respect for and
inclusion of Indigenous and traditional knowledge, cultures, and practices, where
appropriate. Indigenous and traditional knowledge can promote environmental
sustainability and responsible stewardship of natural resources while recognising the
relationship between humans, the ocean, and coastal and marine ecosystems.
Considering Indigenous and traditional knowledge, and promoting the fair and
equitable sharing of benefits should foster community stewardship, inclusion, and
participatory conservation and sustainable management of the coastal and marine
environment.

PRINCIPLE 7. Establish and Implement Blue/Ocean-based Economy Monitoring

and Evaluation Mechanisms
The sheer area of the ocean and the wide range of maritime activities and stakeholders
presents significant challenges for monitoring and evaluating the sustainability of
Blue/Ocean-based Economy activities. Additionally, the uncertainty associated with the
pace and scale of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, and their impacts on
the coastal and marine environment, may require periodic reassessment and
realignment of Blue/Ocean-based Economy implementation strategies. Establishing and
implementing effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, including utilizing
existing ones, aiming at the assessment, minimisation, and mitigation of negative
impacts on the marine and coastal environment, is key to inform decision making for an
inclusive, sustainable and resilient Blue/Ocean-based economy.

PRINCIPLE 8. Strengthen International Cooperation to Tackle Shared Maritime

Challenges
The maritime space is inherently interconnected – activities occurring along the
coastline, within the maritime zones of a country or on the high seas and in the Area 3
may impact the coastal and marine environment along distant coastlines. Therefore,
ensuring a healthy ocean and the conservation and sustainable use of its resources
requires strong cooperation among and between governments and relevant
international bodies at all appropriate levels, including through the establishment of
marine protected areas and coordination towards networks thereof, other effective
area-based conservation measures, capacity building, knowledge sharing, technology,
common projects and investments, and best practices.

3
"Area" means the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national
jurisdiction; UNCLOS (Art. 1)

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PRINCIPLE 9. Enhance Ocean Finance
Ocean protection, conservation, sustainable use, and restoration of coastal and marine
resources face significant financing needs. Sustainable growth in the established and
emerging Blue/Ocean-based Economy sectors requires strengthening, and enhancing
access to, finance, including for developing countries, from sources such as national and
international, private and public, as well as identifying, eliminating, phasing out or
reforming harmful incentives, including subsidies that threaten the coastal and marine
environment, as appropriate. In addition, efficient and effective utilisation of existing
mechanisms such as those under the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement and the Convention
on Biological Diversity, in line with their mandates, for relevant ocean-related actions,
will be essential for the protection, conservation, sustainable use, and restoration of
marine biodiversity and ecosystems as well as for climate change mitigation and
adaptation, contributing to a sustainable and resilient Blue/Ocean-based Economy.

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LIST OF PRESIDENCY DOCUMENTS

1. Presidency’s Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap (GIR) And Gandhinagar

Information Platform (GIP) For strengthening the G20 Global Land Initiative

2. Compendium of Best Practices on Restoration of Mining Affected Areas

3. Compendium of Best Practices on Restoration of Forest Fire Affected Areas

4. Best Practices for Water Management

5. Technical Study on Accelerating the Transition to a Sustainable And Resilient Blue

Economy

6. G20 Report on Actions Against Marine Plastic Litter – Fifth Information Sharing
Based On G20 Implementation Framework

7. Knowledge Exchange on Circular Economy in Steel Sector

8. Knowledge Exchange on Extended Producer Responsibility for Circular Economy

9. Knowledge Exchange on Circular Bioeconomy

10. Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC)

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