Prakash Javadekar in New York to Sign Paris Agreement

India has urged the developed world to declare its enhanced action plan for the second period of Kyoto Protocol. Tomorrow being International Earth Day, nations of the world are to sig Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Speaking on the eve of his departure for New York for the signing of Paris Climate Change Agreement, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mr. Prakash Javadekar, said that mobilising $100 billion is still at the stage of discussion and no concrete action plan has been laid out.

Mr. Javadekar will also attend the meeting of Major Economies Forum on April 23-24, 2016.

On raising $100 billion:

Mr. Javadekar said that India has levied a Clean Environment Cess of $6 (Rs. 400) per tonne on coal. The Minister added that if the developed world follows India in taxing its coal production, $100 billion can be raised.

He also said that the developed world must provide technological support to the developing nations in the fight against Climate Change.

Measures undertaken by India:

The Minister highlighted that India is leading by example on mitigation and adaptation. Laying out the details of India's action on Climate Change after the Paris Agreement, Mr. Javadekar said that 175 GigaWatt of Renewable Energy has been targeted by 2022, out of which 40 GW Renewable Energy capacity has been achieved by March 2016.

He pointed out that the Government has decided to leapfrog from Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) to Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission norms by April 1, 2020, thereby skipping BS-V emission norms altogether.

"The Government has taken a decision to promote blending of ethanol with petrol and its use as an alternative fuel and has also taken a decision to tax SUVs and diesel vehicles", Mr. Javadekar added.

Mr. Javadekar also said that 93 million LED bulbs have been distributed till April 12, 2016. This has resulted in energy savings of more than 33.3 million kWh every day.

Emphasising the initiatives taken by the government on adaptation front, the Minister stated that farmers can get their inefficient agricultural pumps sets free of cost replaced with energy efficient pumps.

Some of the other initiatives taken by the Government include - Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana to improve water use efficiency, sustainable agriculture and efficient water use.

The Environment Minister said that the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority Bill have been received. Some of the suggestions have been incorporated and the Bill will be placed in the Parliament in the next session.