Climate change due to developed nations, not India's fault: PM in Paris

Describing climate change as a major global challenge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India wants the world to work with urgency to agree on a comprehensive, equitable and durable agreement at the summit.

"Climate change is a major global challenge. But it is not of our making," Modi said as he inaugurated a unique India Pavilion at the UN climate summit in Paris, showcasing the country's commitment to combat green-house gas emission.

Noting that the outcome of the summit is very important, the prime minister said, "We want the world to work with urgency... We want a comprehensive, equitable and durable agreement in Paris."

He said India's progress is "our destiny and right of our people. But we must also lead in combating climate change."

Modi, accompanied by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, went to various stalls at the Pavilion and later released a book on environment protection. In Paris, Modi will jointly host a meeting of International Solar Alliance with President of France, Francois Hollande.

"Our Pavilion reflected our commitment towards combating climate change," said Javadekar.

The pavilion will also showcase films on adaptation measures taken up by India.

Officials said that around 40 films which will have around 21GB of information on adaptations will continuously run on the screen. There are touch screens to provide information to visitors on how India has taken adaptation measures in four regions, including conservation of coral reefs in Gulf of Mannar, glacier protection in Ladakh, heat action plans in Ahmedabad and Gujarat among others.

India has announced that it aims at achieving around 40 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

It has also pledged to curb its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35 per cent from the 2005 level.

In his speech at the India Pavilion, Modi said the problem of climate change is a result of global warming that came from "prosperity and progress" of an industrial age powered by fossil fuel.

He said that although India did not create the problem of climate change, the country faces its consequences as there are risks to the farmers, the changes in weather patterns, and the intensity of natural disasters.

Modi asserted that the extent of developed nations' commitment and the strength of their action must be "consistent" with the carbon space they occupy and these nations must leave enough of what is left of our carbon space to let developing countries grow.

Terming the climate change summit as "historic", he said the conference is of great significance to India's future.

"They (developed nations) should share resources and technology with those who live between want and hope, so that we can meet the universal aspiration for clean energy. It will also mean that the developing world will also try to have a lighter carbon footprint on their growth path.

"We want the conviction of the world to be matched by efforts to create conditions in which we can succeed. Because our challenge is pressing, our efforts must be urgent," he said.

He maintained that the agreement which will be reached at the end of the summit must restore balance between humanity and nature.

The agreement at the summit "must lead us to restore the balance between humanity and Nature and between what we have inherited and what we will leave behind," he said.

"This will mean a partnership in which those who have the luxury of choices and the capability of technology will make adjustments to sharply reduce their carbon emission," he said.

Modi noted that India's leadership on environment has been the vision of Indian leaders and successive governments -- starting from the CoP in Stockholm in 1975 to Copenhagen in 2009.

"We are raising our national effort to an entirely new level. And, we are intensifying our international partnerships. So, we come to Paris with our commitment, but we also come with hope.

"We approach the negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in a spirit of partnership, which must be based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities. I will also call for a change in lifestyles, so that we reduce the burden on our planet. For, the enduring success of our efforts will depend on the way we live and think," he said.

He said that he will later join leaders from major developed and developing world for an innovation summit as he believed that innovation and technology hold the key to collective success.

Modi will jointly host a meeting of International Solar Alliance with President of France Francois Hollande to promote greater use of solar energy in the 121 solar-rich nations.

Asserting that India's progress is its destiny and the right of people, Modi said India should also lead in combating climate change which stems from its obligation to give  people clean air, rivers, resilient farms, healthy habitats and forests which are rich with life.

"It comes from our conviction that we must aim not just for higher incomes, but better quality of life. It comes from our commitment to the world. Above all, it arises, from our timeless traditions and beliefs.

"The choices a people make are shaped by their culture and beliefs. In India, Nature has always been treated as Mother. Since ancient times, we have seen humanity as part of

Nature, not superior to it. The divine has manifested in Nature's diverse forms," he said.

Modi invoked Kshetrapati Sukta in Rig Veda and Mahatma Gandhi's life and advise that the world has enough for everyone's need but not for anyone's greed and said the spirit from both leads India to set an "ambitious and comprehensive" strategy to combat climate change.

Modi also launched a publication "Parampara" which is a compilation of India's traditions in sustainable development.

Outlining India's ambitious plans on renewable energy, he noted that the country has a target for renewable generation of 175 Gigawatt by 2022 and said that India has got off to a "good start" with nearly 12 GW likely to be installed by 2016, more than three times the current capacity.

He said that like cellular phones before, renewable energy can be used to bring power to our India's 18,000 unconnected villages "quickly and cleanly" and asserted that 40 per cent of India's installed capacity will be based on non-fossil fuel by 2030.

"We will convert waste to energy. We will make our cities smart and sustainable, and transform public transportation, including through 50 new metro rail projects.

"We are investing in supercritical technology in thermal plants. We have imposed tax on coal and reduced subsidies on petroleum products. We are raising fuel standards for automobiles. And, we have introduced tax free bonds for renewable energy. We have a massive programme to expand our forest cover and protect our biodiversity," he said.

Modi said that India’s vision as a global manufacturing hub rests on the simple principle of "zero defect, zero effect" -- production that is perfect and leaves no footprint on environment while the country’s mission of "more crop per drop" will not only improve the lives of farmers, but will also reduce the pressure on a scarce resource.

Terming research and innovation in clean energy as "high priority", the prime minister said that India wants to make conventional energy, like coal, cleaner while it will also make renewable energy cheaper and convenient to install in houses.

Modi said the spirit of partnership, belief in oneness with nature is the theme that defines India and added that the desire for well being should include the planet, nature, all the countries and the entire humanity.

"If our thinking is right, we will form a true global partnership of capabilities and needs that leads us to a low carbon age," he added.

Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing at the inauguration of the India Pavilion, at COP21 Summit, in Paris, France. Photograph: PIB