New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took an assertive stance on Monday at the historical COP-26 meet on 'Action and Solidarity-The Critical Decade' and said there has been "injustice" to developing countries as "adaptation does not get as much importance in the Global climate debate as Mitigation".
"Adaptation does not get as much importance in the Global climate debate as Mitigation. This is an injustice to developing countries, which are more affected by climate change," he said at the meet in Glasgow and pointed out that climate is a "major challenge for farmers in most developing countries, including India."
Later, at the 'national statement' speech, the Prime Minister made a five-point pledge, calling it Panchamrit. "First- India will reach its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. Second- India will meet 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030. Third- India will reduce the projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now onwards until 2030. Fourth- By 2030, India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45 per cent. And fifth- by the year 2070, India will achieve the target of Net Zero".
These 'panchamrits' will be an unprecedented contribution of India to climate action, he said.
The Prime Minister said the "cropping pattern" has been changing, crops are being destroyed by "untimely rains and floods", or frequent storms.
"From drinking water sources to affordable housing, all of these need to be made resilient against climate change," he said. Thus, he said a three-pronged strategy.
"First, we have to make adaptation a key part of our development policies and projects. Projects like 'Nal se Jal'- Tap water for all, 'Swachh Bharat'- clean India Mission and 'Ujjwala'- clean cooking fuel for all in India, have not only provided adaptation benefits to our needy citizens but have also improved their quality of life".
Secondly, he said, many traditional communities have adequate knowledge of living in harmony with nature.
"These traditional practices must be given due importance in our adaptation policies. This flow of knowledge must also be included in the school syllabus so that it is passed on to the new generation," the Prime Minister said.
He also stressed the preservation of lifestyles in compliance with the local conditions.
"Third, the methods of adaptation may be local, but backward countries should get global support for them," the Prime Minister said.
In the 'national statement' at the COP26, Mr Modi said the Climate Summit in Paris was merely a mega event. "It was a sentiment, a commitment. And India was not making those promises to the world, but those promises, 125 crore Indians, were making to themselves".
He said: "My words are not just words, they are cheers of a bright future for the future generations. Today India is at number four in the world in installed renewable energy capacity. India's non-fossil fuel energy has increased by more than 25% in the last 7 years."
The Prime Minister said – "Passengers numbering more than the entire population of the world travel by Indian Railways every year. This huge railway system has set itself a target of making itself 'Net Zero' by 2030.This initiative alone will lead to a reduction of 60 million tonnes of emissions annually."
Similarly, he said, India's massive LED bulb campaign has also reduced emissions by 40 million tonnes annually. "Today, India is working fast on many such initiatives with a strong will."
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