Intervention by Sh Prakash Javadekar MoS(IC) EF & CC at United Nations Environment Assembly at Nairobi
Posted on 26 May, 2016 6:09 pm
The world must build upon the momentum generated in Paris on Climate Change, and in UN on SDGs. Environmental Governance is going to be the key factor in planning the future of any country, and will always remain the focal point of respective national plans. Therefore, India suggests that UNEA/UNEP should concentrate in Environmental policy and governance issues. UNEP should work upon integrating the environmental dimensions of the SDGs.
On this backdrop no country should try to divert the debate to unrelated issues, and should not tinker with the gains made through collective consensus. We must maintain sanctity of each forum.
SDGs can’t be achieved unless we address lifestyle issues, and adopt more sustainable consumption pattern. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed upon lifestyle issues in Paris, and the Agreement has adopted sustainable consumption in its preamble. Each country must come out with its action plan to achieve its sustainable lifestyle, and the time frame to achieve it.
Developed world must also come out with concrete timetable on finance and technology support, and their own actions to achieve lifestyle issues. The ultimate goal of global community has to be equitable per capita consumption of resources. Financial resources must be mobilized by next year. And therefore the review process must include a transparent review of progress made in the Means of Implementation.
India is a key nation in achieving SDG and we have already started rigorous action on this front. we have imposed a cess of $6/ton of coal production and have already finalised the program to achieve 40 GW of renewable energy. India is well on the way of achieving its target of 100 million LED bulbs in one year, and it is offering 30 % subsidy to electrical vehicles.
On the pollution front, emission norms of twenty polluting industries have been made more stringent which will reduce pollution load by 20 %. India has revamped its waste management rules and has decided to migrate to EURO/BHARAT VI norms for fuel and vehicles in next 1000 days, with an investment of $10 billion. National Air Quality Index has been launched and 24X7 monitoring is tapping the pollution of 2400 Industries.
India is investing $6 billion in accelerated afforestation, and is incentivizing tree cover outside the forest, which can help to achieve its target of creating carbon sink of 2.5 billion tonnes. 60 million affordable housing, and rapid metro expansion, along with 50 million houses to be provided with LPG connections to replace fire wood usage are some other initiatives.
Courtesy – Press Information Bureau, Government of India