New Delhi, July 22:
India’s clean energy growth is like cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and rolled into one: a stellar record, but the story is just getting started — and “if India keeps doubling down on renewables and clean tech, the next chapters promise to be truly extraordinary”, remarked UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, on Tuesday.
Saying India has vast economic, commercial and developmental opportunities in doubling down on its shift to clean energy and building on its ‘solar super-power status’, Stiell told the media here, “India’s competitive advantages in the global clean-tech race.”
He was categorically clear in saying that there are “ongoing global impacts of the fossil fuel cost chaos, particularly for fossil fuel importing countries, flowing from ongoing conflict in the Middle East”. The UN Climate Change chief, who is from the cricket-loving Caribbean, said, “I’ve had very productive talks with ministers and business leaders over the past two days, with more coming up.
A constant theme runs through the discussions: Climate action is game-changing for India, its economy and its people.” He said India has long been a strong partner in climate multilateralism. “And it’s entirely in your interests to continue engaging. Almost 80 years since India won its Independence, this nation has the chance to achieve full energy independence, and lock in a next generation of economic might.”
A day earlier, the UN climate chief called on Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav. In a social media post, Yadav said the discussions during the meeting focused on adaptation, technology transfer, climate finance, global stocktake, and just transition.
He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has not only submitted its enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) but also achieved them successfully way earlier than its stipulated timeline. He said India is also taking strides in other allied sectors to combat the climate change crisis.
Stiell told the media that over the years, climate multilateralism has unleashed the global energy revolution, which last year saw renewables overtake coal as the world’s top electricity source. “Today, the COP (Conference of the Parties) process is boosting its focus on implementation, to turn commitments into projects on the ground, and more real-world benefits for billions more people.”
“We have recently operationalised the UN carbon market — which can provide significant new funds for developing economies. And we are elevating the Global Climate Action Agenda within our process. This vital part of the Paris Agreement machinery brings together governments, business, investors, and civil society to turn climate targets into real-world results.”