GLASGOW: The 26th United Nations Climate Change conference currently being held in Glasgow, Scotland saw a frenzy of international leaders take part and discuss global climate recovery from a devastating pandemic.
Addressing the COP26 summit on Monday, Modi coined a slogan ‘LIFE’ which stands for ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ emphasises the need to co-exist with the environment on the planet. Modi also announced that India would be reducing one billion tonnes of carbon emission by 2030.
He also announced that India would cut its emissions to net zero by 2070, which is two decades after the original COP26 key goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050. China also announced plans for carbon neutrality by 2060 while the USA and European Union said that they would keep to the original timeline of 2050. Net zero emissions or carbon neutral means not adding to the amount of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere.
This is the first time that India has set a net zero target.
Top 8 take-aways from PM’s speech at COP26:
- Climate Finance & Tech Transfer as an imperative: The PM gave a message to developed countries that ‘just like India has raised its ambition in setting its targets, they also need to raise ambitions in climate finance & tech transfer.’ The world cannot achieve newer targets with old goals of climate finance.
- India takes step of Net Zero commitment by 2070: This is a historic step taken by PM Modi which shows India’s ambition when it comes to fighting climate change. Despite being a developing country, India shows the way when it comes to safeguarding planet earth.
- India raises its pledge of NDCs: When India took the ambitious pledge of achieving 450 GW installed capacity by 2030 through non-fossil fuel sources, it was seen as over-ambitious. Now, India is not only on the track to achieve this target, but India has decided to further raise it to 500 GW. India has also pledged to fulfil 50% of its energy requirements from renewables by 2030.
- “India’s contribution in climate change mitigation far outstrips its role in emissions”: The PM shared that India, which has around 17% of the world’s population, is responsible for only about 5% of the total emissions.
- Reducing carbon emissions and intensity: The PM announced that India will reduce 1 billion tonnes of carbon emissions from the total projected emissions by 2030. India will also reduce carbon intensity by 45% in its economy.
- The PM shared how India is the only country to fulfil commitments made in Paris. He also spoke how ‘Paris was not only a summit, but a sentiment and a commitment of 130 crore Indians.’
- Multi-faceted initiatives in India to mitigate climate change: The PM shared how a new India is fighting climate change. From the world’s largest railway carrier becoming Net Zero by 2070 to saving 40 billion tonnes of emission through LEDs, ‘India is putting climate change at the centre of its policies.’
- PM gives a new mantra for sustainable development the world- LIFE: PM’s mantra of Lifestyle For Environment is inspired by Indian culture, Gandhi ji’s teachings & PM’s own life to ensure peaceful existence with nature. Just like other mass movements inspired by PM, this urges MindFul and Deliberate Utilisation instead of Mindless and Destructive Consumption.