Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, represented India at yesterday's virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF), which was hosted by US President Joseph Biden. The MEF meeting aimed to galvanize actions to strengthen energy security and address the climate crisis, thereby providing momentum for COP27.
Twenty-three major economies from around the world, as well as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, attended the meeting.
The MEF leaders discussed the initiatives they are taking to meet their respective climate change commitments. Bhupender Yadav discussed India's continued commitment to global collective action to combat climate change. He emphasized that India's initiatives, such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure, extend beyond its borders.
He stated that India has already installed 159 GW of non-fossil fuel power generation capacity. And, in the last 7.5 years, India's installed solar energy capacity has more than doubled.
Yadav emphasized that while India's annual per capita emissions are only one-third of the global average and its cumulative GHG emissions are less than 4%, India's climate targets are ambitious and reflect the country's commitment to the global good.
He also emphasized that success with other environmental challenges, even if achieved, will not have long-term value unless cumulative emissions are reduced.
Global warming warns us that equity and international cooperation, with no one left behind, hold the key to success, with the most fortunate leading the way. In the same context, he emphasized that no nation can embark on this journey alone.
Right understanding, right thought, and collaborative action are required to chart our course for the next decisive half-century. All nations must adhere to their fair share of the global carbon budget. He mentioned how the Panchamrit goals are being realized through one of the world's largest clean energy development plans.
India is on track to meet its commitments by implementing low-carbon policies in key sectors of our economy, such as the green hydrogen mission and e-mobility. The Union Minister urged MEF members to launch a global movement on LIFE, or Lifestyle for Environment, as advocated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the COP26 meeting in Glasgow.
