The Global Stocktake lies at the heart of the Paris Agreement. It is expected to assess collective progress on the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global average temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The GST will evaluate progress made across mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation (finance, technology and capacity building) in the light of best available science and equity, to spur increased ambition and international cooperation.

Equity and historical responsibility always takes centre stage in climate change negotiations and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC) is enshrined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). However, climate equity in reality is far from achieved. There is historic inequity that will need to be addressed, followed by current inequity and finally future inequities that will continue with unambitious net-zero targets of developing countries. Historically, between 1850 and 2019, the EU emitted 6.5 times more than India. Further, current world per capita emissions are 2.5 times higher than India. Lastly, with a proposed 2060 target, China alone would consume 28 per cent of the remaining carbon budget to be below 1.5°C. Until all these aspects are not addressed, equity in climate change will not be addressed.

This workshop will explore how to operationalise equity in the GST and how finance can play a role. This is specially important as GST will take stock of collective action, and countries will not be named. While the GST will deliver recommendations and political messages, equity must be reflected in all of those. With rising developmental needs and voices from the global south, the workshop will discuss the opportunities for the GST to deliver on equity and accountability.