Press Releases
November 02, 2021
Friends,
Today I am representing amid you, the land which gave this mantra thousands of years ago-
सम्-गच्छ-ध्वम्,
सम्-व-दद्वम् ,
सम् वो मानसि जानताम्।
Today in the 21st century, this mantra has become more important and more relevant. सम्-गच्छ-ध्वम् - That is, let's move together सम्-व-दद्वम् - That is, let’s all interact together and ??? ?? सम् वो मनानसि जानताम् - That is, everyone's minds should also be one.
Friends,
When I first came to Paris for the Climate Summit, it was not my intention to add one promise to the many promises already being made in the world. I came with a concern for the humanity. I came as a representative of a culture that gave the message of 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah', which means Happiness for All. And so, for me the event in Paris was not a summit, it was a sentiment and a commitment. And India was not making those promises to the world, but 125 crore Indians were making those promises to themselves.
And I am happy that a developing country like India, which is working to lift crores of people out of poverty, and which is working day and night on the Ease of Living for crores of people, today, despite being 17 % of the world's population, whose responsibility has been only 5 percent in emissions, it has left no stone unturned to show that it has fulfilled its obligation.
Today the whole world believes that India is the only big economy which has delivered in letter and spirit on the Paris Commitment. We are making every effort with determination; and we are working hard and showing results.
Friends,
Today, as I come among you, I have brought India's track record. My words are not just words; they are announcements of a bright future for our future generations. Today, India ranks 4th in the world in installed renewable energy capacity. India's non-fossil fuel energy has increased by more than 25% in the last 7 years and now it has reached 40% of our energy mix.
Friends,
Every year more passengers travel by Indian Railways than the population of the world. This huge railway system has set a target of making itself 'Net Zero' by 2030.This initiative alone will lead to a reduction of emissions by 60 million tonnes annually. Similarly, our massive LED bulb campaign is reducing emissions by 40 million tonnes annually. Today, India is working at a faster pace on many such initiatives with a strong will.
Along with this, India has also given institutional solutions to cooperate with the world at the international level. As a revolutionary step in solar power, we initiated the initiative of International Solar Alliance. We have created a coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure for climate adaptation. This is a sensitive and vital initiative to save millions of lives.
Friends,
I would like to draw your attention to one more important topic. Today, the world admits that lifestyle has a big role in climate change. So, I propose before you a One-Word Movement.
This One-Word , in the context of climate, can become the basic foundation of One World. This word is- LIFE...L, I, F, E, which means Lifestyle For Environment. Today, there is a need for all of us to come together and take Lifestyle For Environment (LIFE) forward as a campaign.
This can become a mass movement of Environmental Conscious Life Style. What is needed today is Mindful and Deliberate Utilization, instead of Mindless and Destructive Consumption. These movements together can set goals that can revolutionize many sectors in diverse areas such as Fishing, Agriculture, Wellness, Dietary Choices, Packaging, Housing, Hospitality, Tourism, Clothing, Fashion, Water Management and Energy.
These are subjects where each of us has to make conscious choice every day. These choices exercised by billions of people daily around the world, will take the fight against climate change, billions of steps forward every day. And I consider it as a movement on all grounds like on economic grounds, on scientific grounds, on the basis of the experiences of the past century, it meets every criterion. This is the path of self-realization. This is the only way to benefit.
Friends,
In the midst of this global brainstorming on climate change, on behalf of India, I would like to present five nectar elements, ‘Panchamrit’, to deal with this challenge.
First- India will take its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
Second- India will meet 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
Third- India will reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now till 2030.
Fourth- By 2030, India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45 percent.
And fifth- by the year 2070, India will achieve the target of Net Zero.
These ‘Panchamrits’ will be an unprecedented contribution of India to climate action.
Friends,
We all know this truth that the promises made till date regarding climate finance have proved to be hollow. While we all are raising our ambitions on climate action, the world’s ambitions on climate finance cannot remain the same as they were at the time of the Paris Agreement.
Today, when India has resolved to move forward with a new commitment and a new energy, the transfer of climate finance and low cost climate technologies have become more important. India expects developed countries to provide climate finance of $1 trillion at the earliest. Today, it is necessary that as we track the progress made in climate mitigation, we should also track climate finance. The proper justice would be that the countries which do not live up to their promises made on climate finance, pressure should be put on them.
Friends,
Today India is moving forward on the subject of climate with great courage and great ambition. India also understands the suffering of all other developing countries, shares them, and will continue to express their expectations.
For many developing countries, climate change is looming large over their existence. We have to take big steps today to save the world. This is the need of the hour and this will also prove the relevance of this forum. I am confident that the decisions taken in Glasgow will save the future of our future generations, giving them the gift of a secure and prosperous life.
Speaker Sir, I took extra time, I apologize to you for that. But I consider it as my duty to raise the voice of developing countries. That's why I have emphasized on that too. I once again thank you very much.
