Western countries put such a condition( condition) 

Dubai: India on Sunday did not sign the COP28 declaration on climate and health. According to sources, thedocument contained a condition ( condition)  for curbing the use of greenhouse gas for cooling in the health sector and perhaps this is the reason why India refrained from signing it, considering the country’s existing healthcare infrastructure in the short term. The goal was not practical to achieve or could not be achieved.
The declaration calls for climate action to achieve ‘health benefits from deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions’. This includes appropriate changes, less air pollution, active mobility and healthy nutrition.

The declaration marking the first Health Day at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) on Sunday expressed grave concern about the negative impacts of climate change on health. This declaration has been signed so far by 124 countries, while the US and India, which are among the top greenhouse gas emitters, are not included in the list of signatories.

The purpose of the declaration is to address the important interconnections between climate change and global health. It emphasizes the need for rapid and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, although a key point of the manifesto is a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas use for cooling equipment within health care infrastructure. Sources said that this is a point which is difficult for India to comply with.

A delegate from Kenya said, ‘India, a country facing significant health care challenges, including increased health challenges due to climate change, expressed concern that greenhouse gas reductions for ‘cooling’ the health sector would impact health care services. The ability to meet increasing demands may be hampered, especially in remote and underserved areas.’
India had emphasized on resilient health in its G20 manifesto. India’s G20 presidency had three health priorities – firstly to build a resilient health care system, secondly to create a platform to improve access to medical interventions and thirdly to create a platform to share digital goods between countries.

The COP28 declaration underlines the importance of tackling the widespread impacts of climate change on health. Meanwhile, Jess Beagley, policy lead at the Global Climate and Health Alliance, said the world, being one of the leading global emitters and home to one billion of the world’s population, is one of the more than 120 countries supporting the COP28 health declaration. India’s absence from the list is surprising.

He said, ‘The decision not to support a political document at this stage on the impacts of climate change and human health and opportunities for climate action for well-being, sends a worrying health message to the people of India and the world.’