Glasgow: Prime Minister Modi on Monday during the COP 26 Climate Summit said that Indian schemes such as Nal Se Jal’, Clean India Mission, and Ujjawala have not only given adoption benefits to our citizens but also improved their quality of life. He further said, “We have to make adaptation the main part of our development policies and schemes.”
PM Modi further added that many traditional communities have knowledge of living in harmony with nature. To make sure that this knowledge flows to the next generations, it should be added to the school’s syllabus. Protection of lifestyle suitable to local conditions can also be an important part of adoption, added PM Modi.
Key Highlights from PM Modi’s Speech
- PM at COP26 World Leaders’ Summit said, “When I came to Paris for the first time for the Climate Summit, I had no intention to add my own promise to other promises across the world. I had come with concern for humanity, as a repr of culture that gave message of Sarve Sukhinah Bhavantu.
- PM Modi, further said, “So for me, Paris event wasn’t a Summit but a sentiment, a commitment & India wasn’t making promises to the world, instead, 125 Cr Indians were making promises to themselves. I am happy that a developing country like India is working to pull crores of people out of poverty.”
- He further said, “World today admits that lifestyle has a major role in climate change. I propose one word movement before all of you. This word is LIFE which means Lifestyle for Environment. Today, it’s needed that all of us come together & take forward LIFE as a movement.
- He further added that India will cut down its net projected carbon emission by 1 bn ton from now until 2030. Fourth, by 2030 India will bring down the carbon intensity of its economy by more than 45%. Fifth, by 2070 India will achieve the target of ‘net zero’.
- PM Modi, “that at this global brainstorming on climate change, I present 5 ‘amrit tatva’ from India. I gift this ‘panchamrit’.
- He further added, that at first, India will bring its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. Second, by 2030 India will fulfill 50% of its energy requirement through renewable energy.
- PM Modi further added that India constitutes 17% of the global population and India’s contribution to the emission has only been 5%. But today, the entire world admits that India is the only major economy that has delivered on Paris agreements in letter and spirit.
- “We know reality that promises made so far over climate finance have proven to be hollow.When we’re taking forward our ambition regarding climate action, the ambitions of world over climate finance can’t keep standing at the point where they were at the time of Paris Agreement,” added PM Modi.
- Today when India has resolved to move forward with a new commitment and new energy, then the climate finance and transfer of low-cost technology transfer become even more important, added PM Modi at COP26 World Leaders’ Summit in Glasgow, Scotland.
- Instead of mindless and destructive consumption, mindful & deliberate utilization is the need of the hour. This movement can bring in revolutionary changes in areas like agriculture, fishing, housing, packaging, hospitality, tourism, fashion, water management & energy added PM Modi.
- He further added that India expects developed nations to make climate finance of 1 Trillion dollars available at the earliest. Today it’s important to track climate finance just like we track the progress of climate mitigation.
- It would be an appropriate justice to create pressure on the nations that don’t meet their own promises of climate finance, added PM Modi.
- Climate change is a major threat to the existence of many developing countries. We must take major steps to save the world. It is the need of the hour & will prove the relevance of this platform. I’m hopeful that decisions taken in Glasgow will save the future of our next generations, added PM Modi.
PM Modi and UK PM Boris Johnson meet up
Prior to this, he was greeted by British counterpart Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the COP26 climate summit here and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas like green hydrogen, renewables, and clean technology, economy, and defence. This was the first in-person meeting between Modi and Johnson following the British Prime Minister’s twice-cancelled visit to India earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The interaction, soon after the opening ceremony of the World Leaders’ Summit at COP26, was scheduled to focus on the UK-India climate partnership as well as a review of the 2030 Roadmap for stronger UK-India strategic ties signed by the two leaders during a virtual summit in May this year. Prime Minister Modi congratulated Johnson for successfully organising the COP26 and for his personal leadership in championing global action for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
He reiterated India’s commitment to closely working with the UK on climate finance, technology, innovation, and adaptation of green hydrogen, renewables and clean technologies including joint initiatives under the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.
Discussions between PM Modi and UK PM Boris Johnson during the meet up
The two prime ministers discussed regional and global challenges including Afghanistan, Counter-Terrorism, Indo-Pacific, supply chain resilience, and post-Covid global economic recovery. Prime Minister reiterated his desire to welcome PM Johnson in India soon.
They expressed satisfaction at the progress in delivering the Enhanced Trade Partnership including steps taken towards the launch of Free Trade Agreement negotiations, the release said. Prime Minister Modi reiterated his desire to welcome Johnson in India soon, the release added. According to official sources, the relatively short interaction focussed on exchanging views and taking stock of the bilateral relationship.
“Both governments remain committed to the implementation of the Roadmap, within prescribed timelines. Accordingly, we are looking to launch negotiations in November 2021 for an Interim Agreement to be signed in March 2022 and eventually a comprehensive agreement, if all goes according to schedule, by November 2022, India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Gaitri Issar Kumar, said ahead of the prime ministerial talks.
PM Modi stresses on Climate Change
PM Modi stressed that climate change is a huge challenge for the agriculture sector in developing nations, including India. The cropping pattern is changing, untimely rains, floods, and continuous storms are destroying crops. From sources of drinking water to affordable housing, all need to be made resilient against climate change, he added.
Talking about the importance of climate adaptation, Modi said it should be made the most vital part of the policies.
“Climate adaptation has to be made the most vital part of our policies. In India, policies like tap water for all, Clean India Mission and clean cooking fuel for all have given adaptation benefits to the needy as well as improved their quality of life, he said.
“Even if the ways of adaptation are local, developing countries should get global support for it. India initiated the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure CDRI for global support to local adaptation. I urge the countries to join this initiative,” he added.
What is COP 26 Summit?
The UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, brings the major emitting countries to face to face with the countries most vulnerable to climate change. The World Leaders Summit will send a clear signal to negotiators to be as ambitious as possible and agree to a negotiated outcome that accelerates action this decade.
(With Inputs From PTI, ANI)
