Address of Union Environment Minister at inauguration of Indian Pavillion at COP-24.

Address of Union Environment Minister at inauguration of Indian Pavillion at COP-24.

Following is the text of the Union Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan at the inauguration of Indian Pavilion at the 24th meeting of Conference of Parties (COP-24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which is being held at Katowice, Poland.

“Dear Friends! I welcome you all to COP-24 in the wonderful city of Katowice, Poland.  I  believe  that  we  are  at  a  critical  juncture in  our  ongoing  battle  to  save  our  planet  from  the  threats  of global   warming   and   let   me   assure   you   that   India   is   truly committed  to  winning  this  battle.  I  feel  proud  in  affirming  that India  has  made  great  strides  in  its  journey  towards  climate change adaptation and mitigation.

This pavilion reflects our ambitious and bold actions on climate change.  We will be organizing more than 20 sessions,  covering issues important for climate change adaptation and mitigation. This  year  the  theme  of  India  Pavilion  is  ‘One  World  One  Sun One  Grid’  as  highlighted  by  our  Hon’ble  Prime  Minister  Shri Narendra Modi during first assembly of the International Solar Alliance  on  October  2018.  The Hon’ble Prime Minister has set an   ambitious   target   that   40   per   cent   of   its   installed   power capacity will be from non-fossil fuels by 2030.

Under   the   visionary   leadership   of   Prime   Minister,   we   have launched many policies and set up institutional mechanisms to advance our climate actions. These initiatives are a reflection of our  commitment  towards  addressing  climate  change  concern including  energy  security,  food  and  water  security,  capacity enhancement at national and state level.

I   have   launched   a   nationwide   campaign   in   preserving   and protecting   the   environment   called   the   Green   Good   Deeds Movement.  We  realized  that  people’s  participation  is  crucial  to accomplish  our  goal  and  so  this  campaign  was  prepared  to inspire, encourage and involve each and every individual of our society.  The  attempt  is  to  ensure  that  each  and  every  citizen must   adopt   measures   to   protect   the   environment   by   doing small but significant green good deed such as save energy, save water,  car-pool  to  work,  use  dustbins  for  disposal  of  waste, segregate waste, plant trees, and so on and so forth.

I  expect  that  this  movement  –  Green  Good  Deeds  -  will  soon involve  people  not  only,  in  India  but  across  the  globe.  I am receiving   positive   feedback   from   all   stakeholders   for   further strengthening this movement.

India is  working hard for  achieving 175 GW target for  installed Renewable Energy capacity by 2022. The effect of increased use of  renewable  energy  is  now  visible  in  India.  Resultantly,  India stands 4th  in wind power 5th  in renewable power and 5th  in solar power  installed.   Besides  solar  and  wind  power,  we  are  also working   on   biomass,   biofuel   and   bio-energy.   Our   aim   will always be to leap ahead into the future of energy solutions that make this world a cleaner and greener place. In   the   last   few   years   India   has   taken   a   number   of   other initiatives.  Till  date  more  than  310  million  LEDs  have  been installed    countrywide.    Around    58    million    households    are already covered under Ujjwala scheme. Ujjwala scheme will not only contribute to improved health of women and children, but also  help  on  reducing  forest  degradation.  Just  in  last  2  years India achieved 1% increase in its forest cover whereas in many countries   across   the   globe,   it   is   depleting.   More   than   0.26 million  Electric  Vehicles  have  been  sold,  with  more  than  91 million  CO2  Reduction  (in  kg).  Apart  from  this,  we  have  also pledged   to   get   rid   of   single-use   plastic   by   2022   across   the country.

India’s  leadership  in  global  climate  action  has  been  recognised and   Hon’ble   Prime   Minister   Shri   Narendra   Modi   has   been bestowed  with  “Champion  of  Earth  Award”  this  year  by  the United  Nations  for  his  stewardship  in  promoting  International Solar Alliance and resolve to make India plastic free by 2022.

I believe it is crucial that we find ways to combat climate change not  just  through  modern  technologies  but  with  the  wisdom  of our collective cultural tradition. We are all aware that our Prime Minister  Shri  Narendra  Modi  has  been  providing  international leadership for the Climate Change and Global Warming issues. He has reminded the whole world of the need for environmental protection and adopting the climate resilient lifestyles. We alsobelieve that  contribution  of  citizens,  sustainable  lifestyles  and climate    justice    provides    an    alternative    means    to    address climate change which must be rigorously pursued.

I would like to conclude by saying that India stands committed to fighting climate change.  Guided by our Indian culture and ethos,   we   are   dedicated   to   climate   action   that will ensure Climate justice for all.