Ahead of G20 summit, India dodges mixing human rights with climate agenda

Combining the two issues would have created a burden for Global South

Days before they host the G20 summit in Delhi, Indian officials have described efforts to get consensus for the final communique akin to stepping on a minefield. One sensitive task was to avoid a surprise move to hyphenate the climate change agenda of green accounting standards with extraneous issues like human and labour rights under the euphemism of “worker wellbeing”.

G20 recommendations are not mandatory, but when published companies come under pressure to adapt or consider them. Green accounting standards are expected to do so. A study by research firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) notes private capital will play a