India’s per capita carbon emissions have been praised for being remarkably low amid increasing global concerns over climate change. The announcement was made by Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, R. K. Singh, during the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial and 8th Mission Innovation Meeting held in Goa.
The ministerial meeting, which R. K. Singh chaired, saw the participation of ministers from over 30 countries and representatives of international organizations. The primary objective of the gathering was to address challenges related to energy transition and explore potential solutions.
R. K. Singh highlighted that India’s per capita carbon emissions are around 2.29 tons, significantly lower than the global average of 6.3 tons. He attributed this accomplishment to the simple lifestyle embraced by the Indian populace. He emphasized the importance of individual responsibility in combatting climate change and stressed the need for collective efforts to ensure a sustainable future.
The Union Minister outlined India’s commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and increasing renewable energy generation. Ambitious targets were announced, aiming to meet 50% of the country’s energy needs from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. Additionally, India strives to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy generation by the same year.
Singh informed the ministerial about India’s Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme for industries, encouraging them to adopt sustainable practices, leading to a reduction of 105 million tons of emissions per annum.
“We are exploring various renewable sources, including solar, wind, and hydrogen, to accelerate our energy transition. Energy efficiency in the lighting sector has been a focus with schemes such as UJALA, star rating, and LED street lights, resulting in 278 million tons of emissions reductions per annum,” he added.
Vijay Kumar Saraswat, a member of NITI Aayog, emphasized the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels to secure a sustainable future for humanity. He stressed the need for global cooperation in promoting clean energy solutions and reducing carbon emissions.
Jennifer M. Granholm, the Secretary of Energy from the United States, praised India’s leadership in the global energy transition and acknowledged the significance of collaborative efforts among nations, businesses, cities, and institutions in effectively addressing climate change. She also highlighted the critical role of emerging technologies in achieving the Net Zero goal.
The Mission Innovation (MI) initiative, represented by 23 countries and the European Commission, aims to accelerate progress towards the clean energy revolution and the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, including pathways to achieve net-zero emissions.
As the event unfolded, Brazil expressed its intention to host the MI Ministerial Meeting in conjunction with its G20 presidency the following year.