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Challenges in funding and transition: Global leaders talk climate justice at Bharat Summit 2025

The panel also agreed that the US pulling out of the Paris Agreement would have far-reaching consequences on the overall battle against the climate crisis.

Saicharan Sana

Published Apr 27, 2025 | 10:37 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 27, 2025 | 10:37 AM

Accelerating Climate Justice at Bharat Summit 2025

Accelerating Climate Justice at Bharat Summit 2025

Synopsis: At the Bhrat Summit 2025, leaders from around the world came together to tackle climate justice. The discussion centred on the need for urgent action, global solidarity, and innovative approaches to drive a just and inclusive climate transition.

At the Bharat Summit 2025, organised by the Telangana government on Saturday, 26 April, in Hyderabad, leaders from around the world came together to tackle one of the most urgent challenges of our time: Climate justice.

With the clock ticking faster than ever, the discussion centred on the need for urgent action, global solidarity, and innovative approaches to drive a just and inclusive climate transition.

Moderated by former Rajya Sabha member MV Rajeev Gowda, the “Accelerating Climate Justice” panel included industry experts and leaders, including Telangana Environment Minister Konda Surekha, former New Zealand minister of energy and resources Megan Woods, former Japan minister of disaster management Masaharu Nakagawa, former Secretary to the State Government, Nigeria, Oseloka Obaze, former Costa Rica deputy minister of justice Fabian Solano, and international relations specialist Jessali Andrea Zarazua, from Mexico.

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Education and just transition

“As newer technologies emerge and the climate worsens, women become vulnerable to losing their jobs,” Jessali Andrea Zarazua cautioned. She noted that it is imperative to upskill the female workforce to help them adapt and transition to new conditions.

Megan Woods shared the concern regarding transition and vulnerable groups, as she described the situation in New Zealand. “As we were planning to transition from coal to solar energy, we had to take a very careful approach to not alienate the Maori people. We had to work with them and ensure that they did not lose employment because of the transition. Instead, we generated employment in the solar power project and skilled them to ensure a smooth transition,” she said.

Oseloka Obaze revealed that they had to face a different kind of challenge in Nigeria. “We cannot just tell the people that they are helping the environment, that will not convince them. Instead, we tell them that using an electric vehicle can help them save money. That convinces people better to take environmentally sustainable measures, to make it affordable,” he revealed. However, he noted that this process is not foolproof, as developing electric vehicles also has an ecological cost of its own.

Masaharu Nakagawa stressed the importance of education in battling the climate crisis. “Just like policy, educating the masses is also important to continue the battle,” he explained. Responding to a question on renewable energy, he determined that while nuclear energy is put on a pedestal, it still has numerous challenges.

“We had a disaster in Fukushima. Nuclear energy needs more research and meticulous management,” he said.

Also Read: Young leaders call for youth in politics at Bharat Summit 2025

The cost of US decisions, climate change

“We cannot be expected to satisfy the conditions to battle the climate crisis at the cost of our country’s development,” Oseloka Obaze said amidst a discussion on funding. This was a concern echoed by the representatives of New Zealand and Costa Rica.

“Let me say this, despite the huge multilateral funds posited by the big countries, access remains a challenge. Pacific countries like mine and my neighbours cannot access these funds easily,” Megan Woods stated. “Furthermore, the aid that does come in is often in the form of debt. If anything, that burdens a country more than it helps,” Oseloka Obaze interjected.

Similarly, Fabian Solano and Jessali Andrea Zarazua also elaborated on funding to fight the climate crisis.

“With the shift in the US administration, it makes things concerning for us in Central America,” Jessali held.

The panel also agreed that the US pulling out of the Paris Agreement would have far-reaching consequences on the overall battle against the climate crisis. “We cannot just operate on a term-to-term policy to battle the climate crisis. We need coordinated effort across ideologies to make substantial change,” Fabian Solano proposed.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)

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