PM Modi At G20 Session: India Is Not Only Rapidly Achieving The Paris Agreement Goals But Also Busy Setting Higher Targets

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that as a vocal voice of the developing countries, India cannot ignore the neglect of climate finance by the developed nations. He called on developed nations to set a target of providing at least one per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to finance green projects in developing countries. Addressing the session on climate change, on October 31, Sunday at the G20 Session, he said, “We are not only doing injustice to the developing countries, but we are betraying entire humanity”.

Also Read: Here’s Why We Need To Act Now To Tackle Climate Change

At the session, PM Modi also put out three actionable points before the G-20 partners:

a. The G20 countries create a ‘clean energy projects fund’ which can be used in countries where peaking has not happened yet

b. Create a network of clean-energy research institutions in G-20 countries

c. The G20 countries should form an organisation to create global standards in the field of green hydrogen, so that its production and use is encouraged.

PM Modi said, “India will also make its full contributions in all these efforts.”

Also Read: Explainer: What Is COP26 And Why Is It So Important For Tackling Climate Change Crisis?

He also asserted that India is moving ahead with ambitious goals of climate mitigation. He added,

When we announced our goals in Paris, many asked whether India would be able to do something like (creating) 175 GW of renewable energy. But India is not only rapidly achieving these goals but is also busy setting higher targets.

Highlighting the targets set by India for dealing with climate change crisis over the years, PM Modi said,

Going beyond its Paris commitments, India has set a target of 26 million hectares of wasteland rehabilitation. Indian Railways, the world’s largest passenger carrier serving an average of 8 billion passengers every year, has set a ‘Net Zero by 2030’ target. With this decision, the Indian Railways will mitigate 60 million tonnes of carbon emission per year.

He also added that India is working on the target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025.

On the other hand, highlighting that India’s commitment to protect the environment is not just limited to the energy debate, PM Modi said,

We have successfully increased the number of Asian lions, tigers, rhinos, and dolphins as well, which proves that our commitment to protecting the environment is not limited to the energy debate.

Also Read: How Climate Change Is Impacting Global Hunger? An Expert From United Nations World Food Programme Explains

At the session, PM Modi also highlighted that due to the efforts made in the past few years, today India is one of the top five countries in the world in terms of renewable energy capacity and noted that the world also recognises this success of India.

In his address at another session on sustainable development, PM Modi said that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the pace of achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the world has slowed down. He said,

It is essential that in post-COVID recovery, our major priority remains on the SDGs.

Also Read: We Need To Demand Climate Action & Start Leading A More Sustainable Life: Dia Mirza

PM Modi further said that India has made many of its digital solutions open source and available to all of humanity. He added, “We would like to work with our G20 partners to take India’s experience to other developing countries.”

Noting that this is the first year of ‘Decade of Action’, PM Modi said, all have a shared responsibility that the benefits of global recovery reach all countries, and added that the role of G20 will be very important in this.

Also Read: 43 Maharashtra Cities With Population Of 65 Million To Fight Climate Change With Commitment To “Race To Zero”

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity,  that is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India. 

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