Union Minister of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav called on Wednesday for the thoughtful use of fossil fuels and the development of sustainable, inclusive low-carbon transport systems. He said that the path of sustainability must be chosen for the best use of human resources, ecosystem conservation, biodiversity preservation, and societal development.
Bhupendra Yadav emphasized that although India makes up 17% of the world’s population, it only contributes 5% of emissions worldwide. By contrast, in wealthy nations, 17% of the population accounts for 60% of emissions.
Bhupendra Yadav stated at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, during the Re-Invest Summit 2024, “To ensure sustainability, a proper technological and management system must be created for the world through policy, technological intervention and capacity building. Countries should develop action plans that prioritize equity, ensuring that health, justice, and prosperity are available to everyone. This approach will promote social equity and facilitate inclusive, sustainable economic growth while safeguarding natural resources for future generations.”
He further added, “India’s per capita consumption remains low, and the energy needs of developing countries must be considered. India has made significant progress in reducing carbon emissions, despite facing challenges such as its diverse geography.”
Save Water, Save Energy, Reduce Waste, Reduce E-Waste, Say No to Single-Use Plastics, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems, and Adopt Healthy Lifestyles are the priorities that the ministry has set for the first 100 days of the government under Mission LiFE.
Yadav stated that in order to build capacity, climate funding needs to be defined appropriately. In order to increase capacity, the Ministry of Energy has proposed the idea of a carbon market and launched the Green Climate Fund.