India to ratify COP 21 Global Climate Agreement

Reasserting India's commitment to carbon emission reduction and sustainable development, Union Environment, Forests & Climate Change Minister Mr. Prakash Javadekar said India, along with 100 other nations would ratify the COP 21 Global Climate Agreement on April 22.

India along with 100 nations to ratify COP 21 #GlobalClimate Agreement on April 22: Union Minister @PrakashJavdekar pic.twitter.com/ptqmrEdT6i

— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) April 2, 2016

COP 21 would be ratified at a high level signing ceremony to be convened at the UN Headquarters in New York. The agreement, negotiated in Paris in December 2015, sets out a global action plan to put the world on track by limiting global warming below 2 degree Celsius.

Symposium "COP 21 - Building Synergies, Shaping Actions":

With @PiyushGoyal at Seminar #COP21: Building Synergies, Shaping Actions, Organised by Vijnan Bharati in #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/YuaGoPn9dT

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) April 2, 2016

Speaking at a Symposium "COP 21 - Building Synergies, Shaping Actions" organised in the University of Mumbai, Mr. Prakash Javadekar said

"All countries have decided to walk the green path as per their common but differentiated responsibilities".

"India was always perceived to be a naysayer and negative in its approach and took a corner seat in most of the international conferences. But in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the concept of climate justice driving home the message of sustainable development."

"Climate change was a reality with 1 degree rise in temperature caused by 150 years of uncontrolled carbon emission by the developed world. He said while 30% of cumulative contribution was that of the United States, 50% by Europe, Canada and other developed world and 10% by China, India was responsible for only 3% carbon emission."

"Though India is not part of the problem, it wants to be part of the solution. Our commitment is reflected in every programme being pursued by the Government."

Environment Ministry will announce Solid Waste Management rule on April 5: https://t.co/W1NQKWW3bv pic.twitter.com/fiib2IjGd8

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) April 2, 2016

"India had taken pro-active measures to discourage use of fossil fuels in a bid to reduce carbon foot print by levying Rs. 400 per tonne green cess on coal. "If the developed world followed India's example and levied higher taxes on coal, billions of dollars would accrue to pursue clean energy programmes."

The Paris agreement is a victory of multilateralism and the one which helped correct image perception of India."

"The proposed Compensatory Afforestation Funds Bill 2015, would unlock Rs 40,000 crores of funds for the 'Green India' initiative."

The proposed Compensatory Afforestation Funds Bill 2015 which was referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee is likely to be passed in the second half of the Budget Session.

Video link to question answer session at Seminar #COP21: Building Synergies, Shaping Actions:https://t.co/UqFKgnH5lm pic.twitter.com/Fla0tuc8j5

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) April 2, 2016

How would India mitigate climate change:

Under CAF, funds would be made available to states to take up afforestation programmes, and to increase density of existing forests to substantially boost tree cover in the country.

Apart from that there are various plans to control vehicular pollution by moving to Bharat VI emission norms, policies on waste management, Swachch Bharat initiative, Ganga rejuvenation etc. as other measures aimed at sustainable development and containing climate change.

Dilemma of Power Minister Piyush Goyal:

Union Minister of State (IC) for Coal, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Mr. Piyush Goyal said his portfolios put him in an awkward situation. "I am a polluter as well as a pollution container", he said.

Solar generation capacity installation target of 20 GW to be achieved by 2017 itself and 100 GW by 2022 (video) https://t.co/ymKufJhV1Q

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 3, 2016

Mr. Goyal further added that,

"India has launched the world's largest renewable energy programme by scaling up the target for solar energy."

One of the important outcomes of COP21 negotiations is that linkage of sustainable development with lifestyle is now noticed.

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 2, 2016

"The solar energy mission envisaged 20,000 Mw of solar electricity generation by 2022. But this target has been pushed ahead by the Prime Minister to 1,00,000 Mw (1Gw)."

"Ministry has already bid out 19,000 Mw of solar energy projects and the installed capacity of 20,000 Mw would be achieved as early as 2017."

"While one is aware of pollution caused by the thermal power plants, their importance cannot be overlooked. Therefore, our thrust is on adopting clean coal technologies."

"Coal, which is available in abundance in India, has its own place in ensuring cheaper energy."

India has embarked on the largest renewable energy programme in the history of the world - 175 GW capacity by 2022.

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 2, 2016

"India's green energy programmes will be carried out whether we receive support of the western world or not."

He however cautioned that all renewable energy programmes will be sustainable only if they become economically viable and lamented lack of commitment of the developed world in fulfilling their obligations.