India not only responding to climate crisis but also shaping global agenda: Kirti Vardhan Singh

"India is not merely responding to the climate crisis but we are also shaping the global agenda with decisive action and innovative policies," said Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh.

Speaking at the conference ‘India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future', organised by the Union Environment Ministry in collaboration with Harvard University, Azad said that India’s emission intensity of greenhouse gas had reduced by 36 per cent by 2020 and is on track to meet the 45 per cent reduction target by 2030 as stated in the Paris Agreement.

“Non-fossil fuel sources now contribute 47.1 per cent to India’s total installed electricity generation capacity, making our 50 per cent clean energy goal by 2030 an achievable reality. A massive natural carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes has been created through enhanced forest and tree cover, moving us closer to our 2.5-3.0 billion tonne target by 2030,” he added.

Singh said the conference aimed at developing advancing scientific understanding by strengthening climate data, risk modelling and early warning systems for evidence-based policymaking.

Scaling climate finance and investment and public-private partnerships are being looked into at the conference.

“India has consistently led climate advocacy for the Global South, ensuring international climate policies are fair and inclusive. As we move forward, it is crucial to scale up adaptation efforts and ensure that the most vulnerable communities have access to the resources and technologies they need to build resilience,” he said.

While India has made significant strides in mitigation through ambitious renewable energy goals and emission intensity reduction commitments, Singh emphasised that adaptation and resilience remains essential to safeguarding livelihoods, ecosystems and infrastructure from the impacts of climate change.

Secretary, Environment Ministry, Tanmay Kumar said that climate finance was one of the major requirements of meeting climate-adaptive needs.

“Climate finance is the most challenging part of the adaptation plan. It is most required. Finance should be given as a grant and not as loan, otherwise it will be a burden on developing countries. Climate adaptive plan should be participatory and just,” he added.