Ocean’s Twenty As Chair of SAI20, India’s CAG aims to help create a framework for G20 nations to ensure inter-generational equity and mitigate climate change while developing marine resources Grist CHANDRA MuRMU LUNDERTHEINDIAN presidency, G2Oleaders willadress urgent plc needs forcolecive roses, equity and inclusive grown when they meet New Delhi this year Wath the summitthemetOne Fath One Family One Future India has ete tone an pesspec- tive forcommitmentogren development, cireular economy and lifestyle behaviour ‘changes as an actionable pan or achieving the 2030 Sustamable Development Coals A Sew of events wilalso be eld across the ‘ountryrofocuson solitons toa widerange fofisestiomclimate mance and tecoplosy Sharing tefinancalincason andi Ticinfastucture, ‘The Comptroller & Auditor General of Inda(CAG} Willer A120, theEngagerent Croup fr Supreme AuitinstitionsSAl)of {@OcountriesinGoainjune Too prrtyar- teas have ben selected for SAI20 debe tions — blue economy and responsible ‘Miihcallnteligence Theengagemenc fs inadvisngexeetvesierocialinbalaneng ‘eydevelopmentaleoncemswiileensuring, sustainable development SAI roe in peo ‘ating infer generational equity a ad deshg cate changeconcerns highs nportanee in ensuring that the bene- fisot econ ota sated ay agossgeneratons. For SIZ, the CAG to proparetehnol- ‘oy-diven tol to assess authorised devel- ‘pmentincoastal sretchesand wackmarine ‘water uty SAD member countries ae being engaged ina colaboratve exercise vole plbally relevant ait tools dong, \with acompendiumofeasestutiesandchal> lengesin the broader framework of auditing, ‘oatalspaces which nteraia.ncide legal Sta istittiona rameorscompbanceto ‘masta equation, bie westy conservation, ‘capacity buidingandcompiance osc Interest in the le economy has been steadily gaining traction in recent years. In 2018, the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP had forthefisttimelad ‘ut the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Pincplesa framework investors can use to fund acean-based indstes Financersean uuseitasareferencepoinctosee how marine fnvestment can impact livelihood and poverty eradication “The four goals and 23 targets set out in the global biodiversity framework of COPIS im to conserve and sustainably use the planets biodiversity These objectives focus Stops suchas reducing therateof assaf biodiversity ensuring thefairand equitable shuringof benefits arsingffomthe weof ge netic resources and restoring degraded tcosystems, The framework sims t0 strengthen cooperation and coordination among countries and stakeholderstoeffec- ‘vay conserve odiversityand promexets sustainable se Thebiodersiy framework Of COPIS serves. blueprint for counties towork together and make progress ad dressing the global bidiversry crisis nthis ace, I sall inch upon the Blue, or ocean ‘economy, whose global annual values an estimated2.5 urlion About 90 per cet of lobalwadeiscaried outthroughsearoutes. ‘The blue economy encompassesanatay of coastal activites, including ishingand tourism, Themessurementothe bse ec ‘omy schalenging du to conflicting deini- Aonsandisoes whilecassing dere ec tors and sub-sectors Existing international ‘economic clasfictions are unable to prop cy differentiate between land-based and ‘ocean-based ati andeven the system ‘fRational Accounts (NAS) does notprovide | cearunderstanding of the bles econony. Given these ifcuties, anew accounting lrameworkis needed thatcan objectively identi production rade ad services lates {othe various segmentsolthebise economy. ‘Asap audt author, de CAG vale uss independence accounrabity and tans ideal that shall emai the all- mark of SAO. Our institution is 3 ‘onsitudonalauhorty with wideresponsi- Dilitesto strengghen democracy an gover- nance, Wehave ben steatast in ou cam -mitment fa improving suits performance and complince concerning state finances, local governance and envionment audit ing LastyeartheCAG released thefistever country-wide Compendium of Asset ‘Aecountsof Natural Resour prepared Tine withthe UN system of Environmental ad Eennomie crbunts One te fe ex Iaustive natural resource accounting ‘methodologies anywhere inthe wot the handbooks 2guie for the government ‘lise natural rescues optimal, Seting compliance standards anda na- tional accounting famework forthe blue ‘eonomsalong tenn prio for the CA, Indiahesmatkedtnebluecconomyasonc of the 10covesectorsfor national ronthanda [National Blue Eeanomy Policy that aims to hamess mantime resources while preserv- ‘ingthecounty’srch marnebiodversity has ‘been prepared by the Ministry of Earth Saenees, Tn August last year the CAG tabled its Cconsenation of Casa osjtem report in Patkamenr, which contaned sobsenations ‘onhovrthe Coastal Regulation Zane (CRZ)10- ‘Ucavonfor 2011 and 209 havebeenimple- ‘mented berwoen2015 and 201. lookedat the underlining efficiency of development divers such as project clearances construc- tionacttynsnutonalapadytocrbland and forest volaans community Iveibood ‘Support mechanisms, 5 well as mitigation ‘management phnstoconservebiodversities ‘Asa public audit authority, the CAG values independence, accountability and transparency — ideals that shall remain the hallmark of SA120, Our institution is a ‘constitutional authority with wide responsibilities to strengthen democracy and ‘governance. We have been steadfast in our commitment ¢o improving, audits performance and ‘compliance concerning state finances, local governance and environmental auditing Last year, the CAG released the firstever country-wide Compendium of Asset Accounts oF Natural Resourees, prepared in ine with the UN system of Environmental and Economic Accounts. ccRSaslemar suchasmangroves and near shorecorl re {hat protect us rom weather vulnerable Tike storms and coastal Moods. The ai re= sulted in focused eeommendtors to help improve the CRz ecosystem, 'Sea-level ise, water temperature, tom ‘surges and wave conditions aresome ofthe Sighs of climate change We already know how unbridled land ute changes, sand min- ingand deforestatonimpinge onthe coastal ‘ecosjsem: nthe conte ofa studies tdicatethathavardsof clones and level rise ar ely toe higher in the coastal re ‘pons Acordingtoonestudy, CIS mags om the European Space Agency indicate that 15. per centof India's coastal areas have wit- essed changesbetween 192 and 2018 de ‘oagrcuture depleting forest cover and ur- bransaton Besides tht. the population Ii ing along tv country's cosstal areas is pected tors from 64 milionin200010216 rillon by 206, Disaster-tesiient infastratute along coassthateanvrthsanltseimpacs of hr Ficanes, typhoons. and tsunami isthe nee ‘ofthe hou Tiss particu important fr ‘coastal communities that arevuerabe 0 ‘thee of sea-level rise and increasingly intense torm events Tae executes son De adequately equipped with infrastructure, ‘especialy ICThubsinplaceforeaty warming systems Thedeopmentofdssterresient infastructure has plications or thea ing community, a auditors are responsible forensurng that organisations campy with releantregulatons and andar. ‘The oot beng prepared by SA120un- der the leadership of te CAC ona willbe presented atthe SAI2O Engagement Group Ineet This will povidea unique opportunity forconstructive logue and agreement improve ang of perfrmance mn specie sacsoocean based ates Tiscolibe- tee would ntenly bulk capacity ofa diosacross SAO member counties inally bout would also help regional ating com- runes sunasASOSA/and ROSA By pro \ingacommonandrepiableaudtingtol ‘This willhelp in the assessment of how ‘Geary the policy goals are pinned and im- plemented and how resource efciencyis ‘maintained whe leveraging economicop- Portus towards truly sustainable blue ‘economy based global development model Theories Comptoir and Auditor ‘Ceneratofinder