National Statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 Summit in Glasgow
Friends,
Today I am representing amid you, the land which gave
this mantra thousands of years ago-
सम्-गच्छ-ध्वम्,
सम्-व-दद्वम् ,
सम् वो मानसि जानताम्।
Today in the 21st century, this mantra has become more important, has become
more relevant.
सम्-गच्छ-ध्वम् - That is, let's move together सम्-व-दद्वम् - That is, let’s all interact togetherand सम् वो मनानसि जानताम् - That is, everyone's
minds should also be one.
Friends,
When I first came to Paris for the Climate Summit, it was not my intention to
add one promise to the many promises being made in the world. I came with a
concern, for the whole of humanity. I came as a representative of a culture
that gave the message of 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah' means that everyone should
be happy.
And so, for me the event in Paris was not a summit, it was a sentiment, a
commitment. And India was not making those promises to the world, but those
promises, 125 crore Indians, were making to themselves.
And I am happy that a developing country like India, which is working to lift
crores of people out of poverty, which is working day and night on the Ease of
Living for crores of people, despite having 17 percent of the world's
population today, whose responsibility in emissions has been only 5 percent,
still India has left no stone unturned to show that it has fulfilled its
obligation.
Today the whole world believes that India is the only big economy, which has
delivered in letter and spirit on the Paris Commitment. We are making every
effort with determination, working hard, and showing results.
Friends,
Today, when I have come among you, I have also brought India's track record. My
words are not just words, they are cheers of bright future for the future
generations. Today India is at number four in the world in installed renewable
energy capacity. India's non-fossil fuel energy has increased by more than 25%
in the last 7 years. And now it has reached 40 percent of our energy mix.
Friends,
Passengers numbering more than the entire population of the world, travel by
Indian Railways every year. This huge railway system has set itself a target of
making itself 'Net Zero' by 2030.This initiative alone will lead to a reduction
of 60 million tonnes of emissions annually. Similarly, our massive LED bulb
campaign is reducing emissions by 40 million tonnes annually. Today, India is
working fast on many such initiatives with a strong will.
Along with this, India has also given institutional solutions to cooperate with
the world at the international level. As a revolutionary step in solar power,
we initiated the International Solar Alliance. We have created a coalition for
disaster resilient infrastructure for climate adaptation. This is a sensitive
and vital initiative to save crores of lives.
Friends,
I would like to draw your attention to one more important topic. Today the
world is recognizing that lifestyle has a big role in climate change. I propose
to you today a One-Word Movement.
This One-Word , in the context of climate, can become the basic foundation of
One World. This is a word- LIFE...L, I, F, E, i.e. Lifestyle For Environment
Today there is a need for all of us to come together, together with collective
participation, to take Lifestyle For Environment (LIFE) forward as a campaign.
This can become a mass movement of Environmental Conscious Life Style. What is
needed today is MindFul and Deliberate Utilization, instead of Mindless and
Destructive Consumption. These movements together can set goals that can
revolutionize many sectors such and diverse areas such as fishing, agriculture,
wellness, Dietary Choices, Packaging, Housing, Hospatility, Tourism, Clothing,
Fashion, Water management and Energy.
These are topics where each of us has to make Conscious choices everyday. These
daily choices of billions of people around the world will take the fight
against climate change, billions of steps forward every day.
And I consider it as a movement on every ground whether on economic grounds, on
scientific grounds, on the basis of the experiences of the past century, it
meets every criterion. This is the path of self-realization. This is the only
way to benefit.
Friends,
In the midst of this global brainstorming on climate change, on behalf of
India, I would like to present five nectar elements, Panchamrit, to deal with
this challenge.
First- India will reach
its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
Second- India will meet 50
percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
Third- India will reduce
the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now onwards
till 2030.
Fourth- By 2030, India
will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45 percent.
And fifth- by the year
2070, India will achieve the target of Net Zero. These panchamrits will be an
unprecedented contribution of India to climate action.
Friends,
We all know this truth that the promises made till date regarding climate
finance have proved to be hollow. While we all are raising our ambitions on
climate action, the world ambitions on climate finance cannot remain the same
as they were at the time of the Paris Agreement.
Today, when India has resolved to move forward with a new commitment and a new
energy, So in such times, the transfer of climate finance and low cost climate
technologies becomes more important. India expects developed countries to
provide climate finance of $1 trillion at the earliest. Today it is necessary
that as we track the progress made in climate mitigation, we should also track
climate finance.
The proper justice would be that the countries which do not live up to their
promises made on climate finance, must be pressured too.
Friends,
Today India is moving forward on the subject of climate with great courage and
great ambition. India also understands the suffering of all other developing
countries, shares them, and will continue to express their expectations.
For many developing countries, climate change is looming large over their
existence. We have to take big steps today to save the world. This is the need
of the hour and this will also prove the relevance of this forum. I am
confident that the decisions taken in Glasgow will save the future of our
future generations, giving them the gift of a secure and prosperous life.
Speaker Sir, I took more time, I apologize to you, but I consider it as my duty
to raise the voice of developing countries. That's why I have emphasized on
that too. I once again thank you very much.
*DISCLAIMER:
This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original
remarks were delivered in Hindi.