PM Modi announced on Thursday that India and the US will be launching an “agenda 2030” partnership on green collaborations, as he called for concrete action to combat climate change at a “high speed” and on a “large scale” globally.
Addressing a virtual summit on climate change convened by US President Joe Biden, PM Modi stated that a core belief of “back to basics” must be an important pillar of the economic strategy for the post-COVID era and proclaimed that, despite development strategies, India has taken “many bold steps” on clean energy, renewable energy, and bio-diversity.
Around 40 world leaders are attending the summit, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and his Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga.
“As a climate-responsible developing country, India welcomes partners to help create blueprints for long-term development in the country.” These can also benefit other developing countries that require low-cost access to green finance and clean technologies.
“As a result, President Biden and I have established the “India-US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership.” We will work together to mobilize investments, demonstrate clean technologies, and enable green collaborations “PM Modi stated
The Indo-US partnership, according to a joint statement from the two countries, aims to demonstrate how the world can “align swift climate action” with inclusive and resilient economic development while taking national circumstances and sustainable development priorities into account.
The partnership’s goals will be to “mobilize finance and accelerate clean energy deployment; demonstrate and scale innovative clean technologies needed to decarbonize sectors such as industry, transportation, power, and buildings; and build capacity to measure, manage, and adapt to the risks of climate-related impacts,” according to the statement.
In his speech at the summit, Prime Minister Modi stated that India’s per capita carbon footprint is 60% lower than the global average.
“Concrete action is required for humanity to combat climate change. We require such action at a rapid pace, on a large scale, and on a global scale “He stated.
The Paris agreement requires each country to set its own emission-reduction targets, known as national determined contributions (NDCs), and the goal of the pact is to keep global warming well below two degrees Celsius. He also stated that India supports global initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, LeadIT, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
The summit is being hosted by Biden, for whom climate change has been an area of focus.