India “walking the talk” on climate change commitments, says Prakash Javadekar at COP 25

India is “walking the talk” in its climate change commitments and has reduced emission intensity by 21 per cent of its GDP while also being on track to achieve the goal of 35 per cent emission reduction as promised in the Paris summit in 2015, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a high-level meeting at the ongoing UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP 25 in the Spanish capital, the minister presented India’s stand and said the country is “walking the talk”. “Climate change is real. The world recognised it and adopted a comprehensive agreement in Paris. Let us concentrate on the implementation of the Paris Agreement and not digress. “If there is an inconvenient truth in the form of climate change, we are providing a convenient action plan. We are walking the talk. “India has reduced emission intensity of GDP (gross domestic product) by 21 per cent and is on track to achieve the goal of 35 per cent emission reduction as promised in Paris,” Javadekar said.

The 25th Conference of Parties (COP 25), which commenced on December 2 in the Spanish capital and is likely to go on till December 13, is being attended by over 190 countries. The minister said only six countries are on track to meet their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and India is leading the list.

“Internationally, we launched the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure which is a partnership to support countries through knowledge exchange and provide technical support on developing disaster and climate resilient infrastructure. “Only six countries are on track to meet their NDCs announced in Paris. We are leading the pack. Sustainable lifestyle is a part of the ethos of India,” he said.

In his address, Javadekar said India was making progress in harnessing solar, biomass and wind energy. He also listed out all the efforts being made in the country to combat climate change. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced 175 gigawatt (GW) target for renewable energy under Paris Agreement. We have already achieved 83 GW. (The) Prime Minister has subsequently increased the target to 450 GW at the recent UN Climate Action Summit. We are simultaneously progressing on solar, biomass and wind energy. “We have put carbon tax on coal production at the rate of 6 USD per tonne. Even with 36 (political) parties represented in Parliament, we could achieve this unanimously,” he said.