India has pushed G20 leaders to make sure $100 billion worth of technology and finances is made accessible to countries so they can utilise renewable energy, and proposed an alliance of nations rich in solar.
This global solar alliance will aim to make solar power, which is a integral source of green power, a focus point in people’s lives.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the G20 summit that: “At G20, we can play an effective role in supporting the multilateral goals of increasing research and development to develop affordable renewable energy,”.
He also spoke of the importance of ensuring countries meet the global goal of clean energy, by providing technology and finance to developing countries.
The Conference of Parties (COP) is being held in Paris this November 30- December 11, under the guidance of the United nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Prime Minister Modi said that by 2020, it is crucial they meet the $100 billion goal.
India committing to a green future
India has already agreed to take on a number of projects to help the transition to a cleaner and greener world.
Fossil fuel subsidies have been cut, coal usage has been taxed and by 2022 they plan to have an extra 175 GW capacity of renewables.
They also are setting up a $3 billion National Clean Energy Fund to encourage clean technology.
A similarly strong commitment has also been made in the Intended National Determined Contributions for the talks in Paris by New Delhi.
The capital city has vowed to reduce emission levels by 33-35 per cent over the next decade and a half.
This target is an ambitious measure taken to care for the environment, which goes hand in hand with India’s sustainable development pledges.
Prime Minister Modi spoke of a transition away from “carbon credit” and more towards “green credit”.
“When we speak of targets, we must not only reduce the use of fossil fuel, but also moderate our lifestyle. Development in harmony with nature is the goal of my proposal to launch, along with French President (François) Hollande, an alliance of solar-rich countries at the time of COP-21 meeting,” he said.
Infrastructure key focus of G20
The global solar alliance being proposed by India is called an International Agency for Solar Technologies and Applications (INSTA), and it aims for around 125 solar rich countries to collaborate and together chase this sustainable energy source, solar.
The shortfalls of last year’s G20 agreements were also mentioned, such as raising the collective gross domestic product by an extra two per cent before 2018.
Prime Minister Modi added that not much was done to promote the transitioning world, which could potentially assist realising this goal.
The previous summit held in Brisbane, agreed that the years focus must be on infrastructure.
“I propose that we consider how G20 can build support systems that focus on countries with maximum growth potential, help address specific bottlenecks there and facilitate implementation of country strategies,” said Prime Minister Modi.
An investment in skills for better and new jobs as well as physical infrastructure is promoting growth in India, according to the Prime Minister. This, along with the largest financial inclusion program in the world, and brave reforms of the economy.
“Given our size and scale, India can become a pillar of global growth and stability,” said Prime Minister Modi, adding that they achieved 7.5 growth.
Photo courtesy of UK Parliament
