Harsh Vardhan: Climate change not about politics

Climate change is not about politics, but is a moral commitment for India, Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said today, asserting that the country is ready to show "practicable" models that can be emulated by the world.
He said technology and finance are the key for countries like India that can simultaneously address climate change and development needs.
"For India, climate change is not about politics, but a moral commitment," he said in a keynote speech at a business forum.
He asserted that even though India's contribution to global emissions is about one-third of the global average and carbon dioxide stock is just about 3 per cent, India has declared its ambitious Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC).

For "lifting millions of people out of poverty and raising the standard of living, technology and finance are the key for countries like India that can simultaneously address climate change and our development needs," he said.
India is ready to show "a practicable, implementable, green and people-friendly model" that can be emulated by the rest of the world in any field, Harsh Vardhan said. This, he said, should clearly underscore Indias commitment to the issue of climate change.

He was delivering the keynote address at the two-day 'International Finance Corporation Business Forum 2017 The Path to Green Growth' here today.

Expressing happiness that people from financial institutions have come together on the issue of climate change, the minister extended an assurance that India is truly committed to the movement on climate change.
He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modis view that access to clean air, water and a liveable climate are inalienable human rights, and solving these issues is a moral obligation.
"Protecting the environment and ensuring justice to our future generations of children is considered a moral duty," he said.
He underlined the fact that India envisages an increase in the overall renewable energy installed to capacity to 175 GW by 2022.

Highlighting a number of other initiatives, including distribution of energy efficient appliances, the minister said that about 23.39 crores LED lights have been distributed.
The two-day IFC Climate Business Forum 2017 has been designed as a forum for exchange of knowledge and a platform to showcase innovative approaches to climate-smart projects.