Access to adequate climate finance remains an overriding concern: Anil Madhav Dave

Noting that access to adequate climate finance remains an "overriding concern", India said it is "critical" that developed countries provide finance and technology transfer support to developing nations to tackle the threat of climate change.

Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said despite India's "serious" resource constraints, it is taking ambitious adaptation and mitigation actions by increasing energy efficiency and making greater use of renewables, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said that small changes in our everyday lives, by moderating lifestyles and encouraging sustainable consumption and production patterns will contribute in a "big way".

"Access to adequate and predictable climate finance, especially from funds under the Convention, in both pre 2020 and post 2020 period remains an overriding concern for developing countries.

"It is absolutely critical and necessary that equal focus is given to Pre-2020 actions by developed countries under Kyoto Protocol and that they provide effective finance, technology transfer and capacity building support to developing countries," Dave said.

He was giving the country a statement at the high level segment in the ongoing crucial climate change conference today.

Dave said that India expects that the direction set by Paris Agreement will be followed at COP-22 and all decisions would respect the spirit of common but differentiated responsibility and respective capability set in the agreement.

"While taking final decisions, we need to ensure that NDCs are nationally determined, country driven and comprehensive so as to include all pillars of action including adaptation, mitigation and means of implementation," he said.

He said that while countries have gathered here to talk about climate action, we need to consider the needs of most poor and vulnerable population.

"It is extremely important that our actions are based on 'Climate Justice' and protect the poor and vulnerable from climate change risks," he said.
 

Dave said the work is not complete yet and "this is just the beginning of the journey that nations have committed to embark upon for saving the only planet we have".

"Mahatma Gandhi in his message to humanity had said that his life was his message and that is why his life of simple living based on minimum requirements is a role model for everyone," he said.

He said India has already achieved about 45 GW of grid connected renewable energy capacity, about ten-fold increase in over a decade while airports are using solar energy and will move towards becoming carbon neutral.

"We are working on Greening of India's extensive railway routes and highways," he said.

Dave said that India is mobilising domestic funds through various schemes including a cess of US dollar six (INR 400) per tonne on coal.

"We have set up a National Adaptation Fund to help states implement their Action Plans. A citizen centric scheme named Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has been launched to provide free clean cooking gas connections to women below poverty line. Another scheme called Ujala supports commercial adoption of energy efficient LED bulbs," he said.