Focus on climate change must shift to 'green credit': Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday called for greater emphasis on generating and conserving clean energy as opposed to staying focused on cutting down carbon emissions alone.

Chairing the first meeting of a reconstituted high-level climate panel, attended by union ministers Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu, Uma Bharti and Prakash Javadekar among others, Modi asked for "a paradigm shift in global attitudes towards climate change, from 'carbon credit', towards 'green credit'".

"Instead of focusing on emissions and cuts alone, focus should shift on what we have done for clean energy generation, energy conservation and energy efficiency, and what more can be done in these areas," the prime minister said, according to an official statement.

Ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit to New Delhi for the Republic Day celebrations, Modi called for a consortium of all nations who have the greatest solar energy potential.

He called upon world leaders to join hands with India for innovation and cutting-edge research that would reduce the cost of solar energy, making it more accessible to people, the official communique said.

He demanded a careful evaluation of the initiatives taken by India in solar energy, wind energy, biomass energy, and transportation projects that have reduced distances or travel times.

The prime minister said India looked at the global concern and awareness on climate change as a great opportunity for working towards improving the quality of life of its citizens.

Invoking the importance of "sanskar" (traditions) and "soch" (thinking) in the Indian culture, Modi said "prakriti prem" (love for nature) was a value people imbibed right from their childhood.

Modi also suggested including energy efficient design in the curricula taught in architecture and civil engineering colleges.