Will change the curriculum to create environmental consciousness: Javadekar

Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday said that he will update the existing educational curriculum with environmental issues for creating awareness among the future generations.

"We will change the curriculum to bring in environment consciousness, through alertness about environment and sustainability. That is why we are making change at our end because this concerns the future generations," Javadekar said through a video message at the Valedictory session of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) here.

Javadekar said that though he was not the Environment Minister anymore, he will keep contributing to the environment through education, the department that falls under his ministry.

Praising TERI for holding the four day WSDS, where experts and policy makers from across the world including United Nations, European Union and World Bank came together to focus on the environment issues and application of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

After India ratified the 21st Conference of Parties (CoP) protocol on combating climate change few says back, Javadekar also reminded the developed countries of their commitment to the poor nations.

"This is the time to act Instead of going on a Climate Action holiday till the Paris Agreement comes to force... the time has come when developed world have to fulfil their promises," Javadekar said.

After Europe's ratification recently, the Paris agreement now meets the minimum criteria and is to be ratified on November 4, the minister added.

The agreement is due to enter into force in 2020.

"I am sure that my esteem colleague Anil Dave would take the concerns ahead," he said.

Developing countries, like India, have been raising demands for financial and technical support from developed countries to apply their plans for mitigating climate change.

The HRD minister, who represented India at COP21 last year as the Environment Minister then called it "historic responsibility" of the developed countries.

--IANS

kd/ask/vm