Asserting that climate change is a major global challenge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the world must act with urgency to craft a comprehensive, equitable and durable agreement to limit global warming.
In a forthright address on the margins of the UN ‘Conference of Parties 21’ (COP21) on climate change that got underway, Modi also wanted developed countries to make adjustments to sharply reduce their carbon emissions, as he called for a change in lifestyles so that the burden on the planet is reduced, observing the lifestyles of a few must not crowd out opportunities for developing countries.
“Climate change is a major global challenge. But it is not of our making,” Modi said, as he inaugurated a unique India Pavilion at the summit venue, showcasing the country's commitment to combat green-house gas emission.
Noting that the outcome of the summit is very important, the Prime Minister said, “We want the world to work with urgency. We want a comprehensive, equitable and durable agreement which must lead us
to restore the balance between humanity and Nature and between what we have inherited and what we will leave behind.”
Referring to the need for change in lifestyles in his address Modi said, “And, I will also call for a change in lifestyles, so that we reduce the burden on our planet. For, the enduring success of our efforts will depend on the way we live and think,” he told his audience at the pavilion.
He also warned developed nations that it would be “morally wrong” if they shift the burden of reducing emissions on developing countries like India, observing that poor nations had a right to burn carbon to grow their economies.
He said India's progress is “our destiny and right of our people. But we must also lead in combating climate change.”
Modi, accompanied by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, went to various stalls at the Pavilion and later released a book on environment protection. “Our Pavilion reflected our commitment towards combating climate change,” said Javadekar. The pavilion will also showcase films on adaptation measures taken up by India.
Officials said that around 40 films which will have around 21GB of information on adaptations will continuously run on the screen.
There are touch screens to provide information to visitors on how India has taken adaptation measures in four regions, including conservation of coral reefs in Gulf of Mannar, glacier protection in ladakh, heat action plans in Ahmedabad and Gujarat amongst others.
In his speech at the India Pavilion, Modi said the problem of climate change is a result of global warming that came from “prosperity and progress” of an industrial age powered by fossil fuel.
He said that although India did not create the problem of climate change, the country faces its consequences as there are risks to the farmers, the changes in weather patterns, and the intensity of natural disasters.
Modi asserted that the extent of developed nations' commitment and the strength of their action must be “consistent” with the carbon space they occupy and these nations must leave enough of what is left of our carbon space to let developing countries grow.
Terming the climate change summit as “historic”, he said the conference is of great significance to India’s future.
“They (developed nations) should share resources and technology with those who live between want and hope, so that we can meet the universal aspiration for clean energy. It will also mean that the developing world will also try to have a lighter carbon footprint on their growth path.
“We want the conviction of the world to be matched by efforts to create conditions in which we can succeed. Because our challenge is pressing, our efforts must be urgent,” he said.
He maintained that the agreement which will be reached at the end of the summit must restore balance between humanity and nature.
The agreement at the summit “must lead us to restore the balance between humanity and Nature and between what we have inherited and what we will leave behind,” he said.
“This will mean a partnership in which those who have the luxury of choices and the capability of technology will make adjustments to sharply reduce their carbon emission,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi noted that India's leadership on environment has been the vision of Indian leaders and successive Governments - starting from the CoP in Stockholm in 1975 to Copenhagen in 2009.
“We are raising our national effort to an entirely new level. And, we are intensifying our international partnerships. So, we come to Paris with our commitment, but we also come with hope.
“We approach the negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in a spirit of partnership, which must be based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities. I will also call for a change in lifestyles, so that we reduce the burden on our planet. For, the enduring success of our efforts will depend on the way we live and think,” he said.
He said that he will later join leaders from major developed and developing world for an innovation summit as he believed that innovation and technology hold the key to collective success.
Modi will jointly host a meeting of International Solar Alliance with President of France Francois Hollande to promote greater use of solar energy in the 121 solar-rich nations.
Asserting that India's progress is its destiny and the right of people, Modi said India should also lead in combating climate change which stems from its obligation to give people clean air, rivers, resilient farms, healthy habitats and forests which are rich with life.
“It comes from our conviction that we must aim not just for higher incomes, but better quality of life. It comes from our commitment to the world. Above all, it arises, from our timeless traditions and beliefs.
“The choices a people make are shaped by their culture and beliefs. In India, Nature has always been treated as Mother. Since ancient times, we have seen humanity as part of Nature, not superior to it. The divine has manifested in Nature's diverse forms,” he said.
Modi invoked Kshetrapati Sukta in Rig Veda and Mahatma Gandhi's life and advise that the world has enough for everyone's need but not for anyone's greed and said the spirit from both leads India to set an “ambitious and comprehensive” strategy to combat climate change.