Modi at Glasgow: India to reach net zero emission by 2070

Glasgow/New Delhi, Nov 1 (UNI) India will reach net zero emission by 2070, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the COP26 Glasgow summit on Monday as he outlined five proposals or Panchamrit to tackle climate change.In his National Statement at the COP26 climate summit, the Prime Minister also outlined a new mantra for sustainable development – LIFE or Lifestyle For Environment, which he said could become a global movement.
He said that climate finance and technology transfer are an imperative to tackle climate change. In a clear message to developed countries, he said that like India has raised its ambition in setting its targets, they also need to raise ambitions in climate finance and tech transfer.
The Panchamrit announced by the PM are:India will reach Net Zero emission by 2070By 2030 India’s non-fossil fuel generation will increase by 500 GW, compared to 450 GW announced earlier.India will meet 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030India will reduce 1 billion tonne of carbon emissions from the total projected emissions by 2030.India will also reduce carbon intensity by 45% in its economy.Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla termed it as a “seminal statement” by the PM on the significant contribution by India on the global climate change agenda.
The Foreign Secretary said that in 2015 in Paris, India had aimed for 350 GW in renewable energy capacity, which was increased to 450 GW last year, and today the PM had raised it to 500 GW.
“This is a very, very significant contribution to the overall climate action, and considering that India comprises one sixth of humanity.”
Comparing the Paris announcement by India, the Foreign Secretary said that in 2015 India had said that its Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs was of meeting 40 percent of its energy requirement from non fossil fuel by 2030. The PM today raised the figure to 50 percent, which was a “very significant announcement.”
One of the NDCs in Paris was that emissions would be reduced by 33 percent. The PM today raised that figure to 45 percent.
Shringla said the announcements by the PM “would represent the most significant of announcements in the climate domain”.
On Climate Financing the PM said that a trillion dollars would be required and that the developed world should increase their contribution so that the goal of meeting one and a half degrees Celsius is met, and that it should be definable.
On the developed world not keeping its commitment on climate finance, the PM did not mince his words.
“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,” the Prime Minister said.
“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 PM said.
“The proper justice would be that the countries which do not live up to their promises made on climate finance, must be pressured too,” the PM added.
“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,” the PM said.
“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..
He said India’s contribution in climate change mitigation far outstrips its role in emissions.
Earlier, in his address, the PM said that India which has around 17% of the world’s population is responsible for only about 5% of the total emissions, “still India has left no stone unturned to show that it has fulfilled its obligation”.
“For me the event in Paris was not a summit, it was a sentiment, a commitment. And India was not making those promises to the world, but those promises, 125 crore Indians, were making to themselves,” the PM underlined.
He also outlined the measures being taken by his government in fighting climate change, including of the Indian Railways, the world’s largest railway carrier, becoming Net Zero by 2030, to saving 40 billion tonnes of emission through LEDs,.
“Today, when I have come among you, I have also brought India’s track record. My words are not just words, they are cheers of bright future for the future generations. Today India is at number four 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 percent of our energy mix,” he announced.
He proposed a campaign for a sustainable lifestyle.
“Today the world is recognizing that lifestyle has a big role in climate change. I propose to you today a One-Word Movement.
“This One-Word , in the context of climate, can become the basic foundation of One World. This is a word- LIFE…L, I, F, E, i.e. Lifestyle For Environment Today there is a need for all of us to come together, together with collective participation, to take Lifestyle For Environment (LIFE) forward as a campaign.”
“Instead of mindless and destructive consumption, we should move towards mindful and deliberate utilization,” he stressed.This movement can have sustainable goals in the fields of fishing, agriculture, wellness, dietary, housing, tourism, clothing, fashion wear, water management. “Everyone will have to make conscious choices,” he added.To a question if the year 2070 for net zero emission was not “too late” as countries were pressing for 2050, and if it had been declared “under pressure”, the Foreign Secretary said:
“In a certain sense the PM has outlined very clearly India’s own progression that has led up to the net zero situation. We are essentially a developing country, our focus is on bringing millions out of poverty, and working towards ease of the standard of living for our own citizens. We contribute only 7 percent to global emissions. The PM said it is an article of faith for him, and we are doing it for our future generations, so that they would lead secure and happy lives.., in the interest of posterity we are contributing, and it is an important commitment to our own future generations.”
He said that many of the countries that have announced net zero have peaked much earlier. “We have yet to peak, that will provide us with a future for our citizens. Ours is among the shortest, our contribution should not be minimized, and despite our commitment we have talked of net zero commitment.”
“India will not be pressurized, it has not and never will be pressurized. It is a very carefully thought through decision, based on science,” FS Shringla added.
UNI/RN