Union Minister of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has said that India considers
climate change as a major threat to collective well-being and wants to play a
positive, as well as constructive role in combating it.
Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of India Pavilion at the ongoing
meeting of Conference of Parties (COP-23) at Bonn in Germany today, the
Minister said that climate change will put a disproportionate burden on the
poor and marginalised sections of the global community. He added that scientific evidence clearly indicates the severity of
climate change and the cost of delayed action. “Access to clean air, water, and
a livable climate are inalienable human rights. And solving this crisis is just
not a question of politics, it is our moral obligation”, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said.
EMphasising
that though India’s per capita emissions are only one-third of global average
and its contribution to global stock of carbon dioxide is less than 3%, India
has still moved ahead with implementation of path-breaking initiatives under the
leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
The Minister pointed out that India
Pavilion is a window to our heritage and our progress, our traditions and indigenous
technology, aspirations and achievements.
Inviting views and best practices among different stakeholders, Dr.
Harsh Vardhan stated that one of the key global objectives is to develop
an inclusive world order that does not leave anyone behind. The Minister
underlined poverty eradication as one of the most fundamental objectives we all
must work together upon. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also pointed out that the
contribution of citizens, sustainable lifestyles and climate justice provides
an alternative means to address climate change, which must be rigorously
pursued
The Minister also highlighted
several key initiatives at the national and state level.
The following is
the text of the Environment Minister’s speech in Bonn today:
“I welcome you
all to the India Pavilion at COP 23. India considers climate change a major
threat to our collective well-being and wishes to play a positive and
constructive role in combating it. We have large vulnerable Populations and
therefore, we take the challenge seriously, especially because climate change
shall put disproportionate burden on the poor and marginalized sections of the
global community. Therefore, this COP is of great significance to all of us.
We have gathered
here at COP-23 in Bonn to move forward and work towards developing guidelines
for efficient implementation of the Paris Agreement under the Convention.
Scientific
evidence clearly indicates the severity of it and the cost of delayed action. Access
to clean air, water, and a liveable climate are inalienable human rights. And
solving this crisis is just not a question of politics, it is our moral
obligation. We have only one planet and humankind must become accountable
for the destruction of our collective home. Protecting our future on this
planet depends on the conscious evolution of our species. Though India’s per
capita emissions are only one-third of global average, and its contribution to
global stock of carbon dioxide is less than 3%, it has still moved ahead with
implementation of path breaking initiatives under the dynamic leadership of the
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
In this context,
the India Pavilion is a window to our heritage and our progress; our traditions
and our indigenous Technology; our aspirations and our achievements. India’s
new economic momentum is a subject of international attention and a source of
global opportunity.
A
series of events will be hosted at India Pavilion showcasing India’s
achievement, contributions and initiatives to address various dimensions of
climate change and we invite exchange of views and best practices among
different stakeholders. Therefore,
we are here with a constructive and positive approach. One of the key global
objectives is to develop an inclusive world order that leaves no one behind.
Therefore, poverty eradication is one of the most fundamental objective that we
all must work together to bestow upon the future generations a healthy and green
planet.
Under the visionary
leadership of Prime Minister, we have launched many policies and institutional
mechanisms to advance our climate actions. These initiatives are a reflection
of our commitment towards addressing climate change concerns including energy
Security, food and water security, capacity enhancement at national and state
level etc. Some of the key initiatives include:
·
Achieving
about 58.3 GW of renewable energy Capacity out of a targeted 175 GW for 2022.
·
Pradhan
Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
for providing free LPG connections and Ujala for embracing energy efficient LED
bulbs dedicated towards supporting citizens move towards sustainable lifestyle.
·
The
broad policy initiatives of the central government are supplemented by actions
of the State Governments. 32 States and Union Territories have put in place the
State Action Plan on Climate Change attempting to mainstream climate change
concerns in their planning process.
·
As
part of our mission on strategic knowledge on climate change, we have
established 8 Global Technology Watch Groups in the areas of Renewable Energy
Technology, Advance Coal Technology, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Green Forest,
Sustainable Habitat, Water, Sustainable agriculture and Manufacturing.
·
India
is one of the few countries where, despite ongoing development, forest and tree
cover has increased transforming country’s forests into a net sink owing to
national policies aimed at conservation and sustainable management of forests.
·
A
number of schemes for transformation and rejuvenation of urban areas have been
launched including Smart Cities Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and
Urban Transformation. These schemes have integrated appropriate adaptation and
mitigation measures for environment protection.
·
Swachh
Bharat Mission has
been launched with aim to make India clean and litter free. Government has
recently revised following waste Management rules to make them more effective,
efficient and stringent.
·
Government
has revised six waste management rules which are more effective, efficient and
stringent. These include rules for solid waste, Plastic waste, E-waste,
bio-Medical and Hazardous and Construction and Demolition Waste.
·
Greening
of India’s extensive Railway routes and Highways is being undertaken.
·
Air
Quality Index
launched in over 30 cities to provide real-time data of air pollution on daily
basis.
·
Pradhan
Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana has been formulated with the vision of extending
the coverage of irrigation and improving water use efficiency ‘More
crop per drop’.
·
Pradhan
Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana has been launched for farmers’ welfare. Another scheme
has been launched to provide Soil Health Card to every farmer. Further
Government of India has set up the goal is to double the income of the farmers
by 2022.
·
Second
Phase
of Science Express Climate Action Special train with the aim to create
awareness among various sections of society, especially students, on the science of climate change, the
observed and anticipated impacts, and different possible responses as to
how climate change can be combated.
·
Government
has launched “Skill India” with the target to provide skill training in various
sectors including sustainable development to about 400 million people by 2022.
·
Zero
Effect, Zero Defect is a policy initiative to enhance energy efficiency and
resources efficiency in Medium & Small Industries.
·
Another
important initiative relating to rivers is the National Mission for Clean Ganga
which seeks to rejuvenate the river along its length of more than 2,500 km.
·
Digital
India has been launched to transform India into digital empowered society and
knowledge economy.
·
All
these schemes contribute to mitigation and adaptation.
India has been
ambitious in its climate change actions and expect other countries also to be
ambitious based on their historical responsibility on the basis of equity and
Common but Differentiated Responsibilities. We also believe that contribution
of citizens, sustainable lifestyles and climate justice provides an alternative
means to address climate change which must be rigorously pursued.”
***
HK
