Meera Gopal

TERI (@teriin) along with Asia Society Policy Institute (@AsiaPolicy), Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), German Advisory Council on Global Change (@WBGU_Council ) and TERI School of Advanced Studies (@terischool ) organized a side event, 'Governance for Strengthening SDG-Climate Synergies' at COP29 in Baku today. The session highlighted the critical need for integrated governance to bridge gaps between the #SDGs and #ClimateAction. In her welcome remarks, @DrVibhaDhawan, Director General, TERI said, "Strengthening governance mechanisms to enhance synergies between SDGs and climate action is imperative to fostering coherence and multilateral cooperation, ensuring no one is left behind—especially the vulnerable and marginalized communities most affected by climate impacts." Following that, session chair Prof Anna-Katharina Hornidge (@AnnaK_Hornidge) from German Advisory Council on Global Change (@WBGU_Council), delivered a framing presentation, stressing, "There is a need to emphasize the importance of conducting regular science-informed processes at the United Nations level to strengthen global water governance and inter-agency coordination," she said. A policy brief, 'Synergies between Climate Action and SDGs: Implications for Multilateralism' was also launched during the event. #TERIatCOP29 #Act4Earth #ClimateJustice #SustainableDevelopment

The launch was followed by panel presentations. Speaking on 'SDG Climate Synergies and Multilateralism', Dr Shailly Kedia (@shaillykedia), Senior Fellow and Associate Director, TERI, underscored, "Political mandates must empower SDG-climate synergies—from HLPF to COPs to national actions. Strong SDG reporting and integration of SDGs in NDC 3.0 and stronger vertical coordination are key." Dr Gopal Sarangi, Associate professor, TERI School of Advanced Studies (@terischool) stated, "Leveraging voluntary markets, linking them to compliance, and building on CDM experience can strengthen connections between carbon markets and SDG objectives, unlocking financing opportunities and ensuring impactful, sustainable outcomes." Presenting on 'Just Transition in India with an Effective Carbon Credit Trading Scheme', Mr Alistair Ritchie, Director, Asia Society Policy Institute (@AsiaPolicy), said, "Emission Trading Systems (ETS) can contribute to achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and broader benefits, including SDGs." In his presentation, 'Financing Locally Led Adaptation in Urban Area', Dr Md Golam Rabbani (@grabbani84), Head of Climate Bridge Fund Secretariat at BRAC (@BRACworld), pointed out, "Adaptation needs long-term financing, as short-term funding does not yield lasting outcomes." Ms Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Hon'ble Adviser, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Ministry of Water Resources, Government of Bangaldesh, emphasized, "The complexity of global negotiations demands a focus on climate justice, integrating both #adaptation and #mitigation. We need to fix the economic system first, placing nature at the forefront." #COP29Azerbaijan #ClimateFinance #GlobalGoals #ParisAgreement