Climate Change Biggest Global Challenge, India Committed To Combat It: Union Environment Minister

New Delhi: Climate change is the biggest global challenge and India is committed to combat it, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Monday (September 13). Speaking at the launch of Climate Action and Finance Mobilisation Dialogue (CAFMD) under India-US Climate Clean Energy Agenda 2030, Mr Yadav said India is proactively working towards tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions.

It was great meeting United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Mr @JohnKerry today. We discussed a range of issues to deepen our collaboration in combating climate change and ensuring sustainable development. I look forward to more such meaningful engagements. pic.twitter.com/dOmXi9tUAc

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) September 13, 2021

John F Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for the launch. Mr Yadav said the partnership between India and the US will help strengthen climate action.

Climate Action and Finance Mobilisation Dialogue of the Agenda 2030 Partnership launched today will provide both countries an opportunity to renew collaborations on climate change while addressing the financing aspects, Mr Yadav said.

Also Read: Committed To Ensure Clean Air And Blue Skies To All In Country: Environment Minister

The minister said India is already an attractive destination for global clean energy investments.

I hope this dialogue will work to mobilise and deliver climate finance primarily as grants and concessional finance, as envisaged under the Paris Agreement to strengthen climate action. I believe this Dialogue will not only strengthen India-US bilateral cooperation on climate and environment but will also help to demonstrate how the world can align swift climate action with inclusive and resilient economic development, taking into account national circumstances and sustainable development priorities, he said.

Calling for urgent action to address climate change, Mr Kerry said action needs to be taken now to avoid more catastrophic consequences.

Floods, forest fires, record levels of rainfall are happening everywhere and to keep 1.5 degree warming limit in reach, and avoid more catastrophic consequences, we must act now, he stressed.

Mr Kerry also said that it was a good time to invest in energy transition.

There has never been a better time to invest in energy transition. Renewable energy is cheaper than ever. Investors are flocking for clean energy all around the world. The transition has already rebounded after the pandemic and is now on track to smash the pre-pandemic record of 8.4 billion US dollars invested in one year, he said.

Terming the clean energy partnership as a major opportunity for India and the US, mr Kerry said it is far less expensive to deal with climate crisis now than it will be in the future. The India-US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership was launched at the Leaders’ Summit on Climate in April 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden.

Also Read: Climate Action Cannot Wait For Covid Pandemic To End, 220 Journals Warn

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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