BONN: With countries joining hands to end coal-use as part of decarbonising their economies in due course, India on Thursday made it clear that the steps were being taken in the country to "de-couple the Indian energy system from carbon in the long run" but poverty eradication remained its "overriding priority" to ensure housing, electricity and food security for all".
India, however, underlined that it has taken "ambitious targets" in its climate actions pledge under the Paris Agreement and the country is "on path for achieving those".
"This is in line with all our glorious traditions which have for centuries stood for sustainable lifestyles and care for nature. In fact, India's traditional wisdom can be a beacon of light at this stage", said environment minister Harsh Vardhan while delivering country's statement here at high-level segment of the UN climate conference (COP23).
Bringing lifestyle issue into focus, he said, "The climate change challenge that we face today is result of unsustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns which are not necessarily linked to higher levels of well-being. We may at times find it difficult to take hard measures to address climate change as we still have not fully come to terms with the enormity of the challenge."
In his statement, the minister also highlighted what all that the country has been doing in the field of clean energy, especially renewable energy, and emphasised that India's climate actions are synchronised with its development goals and reflects its bold vision for combating climate change.
He also said that all the planned actions and economic reforms have contributed positively to the rapidly declining growth rate of energy intensity in India.
During his speech, the minister also sought to remind the rich nations of their responsibilities for reaching the collective goal under the Paris Agreement. He said, "Additional and early pre-2020 actions by developed countries under Kyoto Protocol and provision of finance, technology transfer and capacity building support to developing countries are critical for limiting the global temperature rise to 2°C by end of century while keeping the door open to keep it below 1.5°C."
India, however, underlined that it has taken "ambitious targets" in its climate actions pledge under the Paris Agreement and the country is "on path for achieving those".
"This is in line with all our glorious traditions which have for centuries stood for sustainable lifestyles and care for nature. In fact, India's traditional wisdom can be a beacon of light at this stage", said environment minister Harsh Vardhan while delivering country's statement here at high-level segment of the UN climate conference (COP23).
Bringing lifestyle issue into focus, he said, "The climate change challenge that we face today is result of unsustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns which are not necessarily linked to higher levels of well-being. We may at times find it difficult to take hard measures to address climate change as we still have not fully come to terms with the enormity of the challenge."
In his statement, the minister also highlighted what all that the country has been doing in the field of clean energy, especially renewable energy, and emphasised that India's climate actions are synchronised with its development goals and reflects its bold vision for combating climate change.
He also said that all the planned actions and economic reforms have contributed positively to the rapidly declining growth rate of energy intensity in India.
During his speech, the minister also sought to remind the rich nations of their responsibilities for reaching the collective goal under the Paris Agreement. He said, "Additional and early pre-2020 actions by developed countries under Kyoto Protocol and provision of finance, technology transfer and capacity building support to developing countries are critical for limiting the global temperature rise to 2°C by end of century while keeping the door open to keep it below 1.5°C."
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