The second Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting is being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. More than 130 delegates from 19 of the G20 member countries, nine invitee countries and 13 international organisations are partaking in this meeting. The three-day meet, scheduled from March 27 to 29 commenced on Monday with focus on water resource management. 

On the second day of the ECSWG meeting, the need to collaborate with the G20 countries and to engage in an inclusive, consensus driven approach was addressed by the host government, while also laying out the actions to address climate change.

The session, which was led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Ministry of Water), highlighted the need for efficient management of water resources to achieve the overarching UN Sustainable Development Goals and also addressed global water challenges such as climate change, population growth, and increasing water demand. 

The G20 countries highlighted the urgent need for initiatives to address the depleting level of groundwater at an alarming rate. The nations acknowledged the significance of integrated water resource management and building resilience against climate risks.

The session also addressed the need to focus on a framework and best practices for land restoration under the global land initiative. The session served as a knowledge sharing platform to exchange information on biodiversity, land degradation and ecosystem restoration.

The Indian government presented the various flagship projects it has undertaken to conserve and rejuvenate the present water resources. Namami Gange, an integrated conservation mission to accomplish effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga, the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), groundwater management, and the Jal Jeevan mission, which aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water by 2024 to all households in rural India, were appreciated by the G20 member nations.

The first ECSWG, held in Bengaluru in February, focused on arresting land degradation, accelerating ecosystem restoration and enriching biodiversity, promoting a sustainable and climate resilient blue economy, and encouraging resource efficiency and circular economy.