U.S.- India Partnership for Climate

[19 Sept 2023]

Keynote Address by Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj

Permanent Representative of India to the UN

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Ms. Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Secretary Administrator of the Bureau for Asia, USAID,

Mr. Brad Crabtree (TBC), Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM),

Mr. Sumant Sinha, Chairman and CEO Renew,

Dr. Mukesh Aghi, President & CEO, US-India Strategic Partnership Forum,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am here to discuss India's climate-focused endeavors, underscoring our role in addressing climate change and our dedication to sustainable development. I share these insights to underscore the enthusiasm that India brings to the U.S.-India Partnership for Climate, launched today under the auspices of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

2. In recent years, India has made significant strides in this critical arena. The proof of the pudding however lies in the eating! So let me put across some interesting facts. We have achieved the target of 40% energy capacity from non-fossil sources 9 years before time. The target of 10% ethanol blending in petrol was achieved 5 months before time. India has the world’s first fully solar power operated airport. Our huge railway system will become net zero in this decade.

3. Aside from these statistics, COP-26 and COP-27 held in recent years have been crucial milestones in our efforts to combat climate change.

4. At COP 26 in Glasgow in 2021, India presented its five core climate action goals:

• Achieving 500GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.

• Sourcing 50% of our energy needs from renewable energy by 2030.

• Reducing projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030.

• Decreasing the carbon intensity of our economy by 45% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.

• Attaining net-zero emissions by 2070.

5. At COP 27, India updated its Nationally Determined Contributions and advocated for reduced consumption at the individual and household levels, in line with the Lifestyle For Environment or LiFE movement launched by PM Modi and UN Secretary-General Guterres in India in October 2022. We also emphasized the need for developed countries to provide financial assistance to address the loss and damage experienced disproportionately by vulnerable nations.

6. Climate action has also been at the core of India's G20 Presidency this year. The "Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future," announced in the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, represents a groundbreaking achievement in incorporating climate action into the agenda of this influential group. This pact encompasses actions in various domains, including addressing macroeconomic climate risks, mainstreaming sustainable lifestyles, advancing a circular economy, ensuring sustainable, affordable, and inclusive energy transitions, promoting climate and sustainable finance, conserving ecosystems, harnessing the ocean-based economy, ending plastic pollution, and enhancing disaster risk reduction and resilient infrastructure.

7. Another notable initiative launched at the New Delhi Summit is the Global Biofuels Alliance, comprising India, Singapore, Bangladesh, Italy, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Mauritius, and the UAE. This alliance aims to expedite the global adoption of biofuels through technological advancements, sustainable biofuel utilization, and robust standard setting, all while fostering global collaboration.

8. Looking ahead, India recognizes the significance of the upcoming global stocktake at COP 28 in 2023. This stocktake will assess collective progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and inform Parties about necessary updates and enhancements. India is committed to contributing to the success of COP 28 through decisive actions across mitigation, adaptation, means of implementation and support, and enhanced international cooperation.

8. My remarks will not be complete without a reference to four key Government of India Climate-centric initiatives: India’s National Hydrogen Mission, the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Leadership Group for Industry Transition.

1. The National Green Hyrogen Mission has been recently approved in India. The Mission will have wide ranging benefits – creation of export opportunities for green hydrogen and its derivatives. The production capacity is likely to reach at least 5 MMT per annum, with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW.

2. Our collaboration with France at COP 21 led to the establishment of the International Solar Alliance, which has now gained UN Observer status and is driving tangible results worldwide. Projects focused on solar energy adoption and capacity building are bringing sustainable energy solutions to various corners of the globe, thanks to the Alliance platform.

3. The CDRI will help in the creation of more resilient infrastructure in developing countries that can withstand natural disasters.

4. Then, with Sweden, we have launched the Leadership Group for Industry Transition or LeadIT with the objective of getting governments, industries and other organizations together in the fight against climate change. LeadIT works on hard-to-abate industries such as aluminium, cement and the transport sectors, which have a high carbon footprint.

9. One final point: Loss and Damage. This issue was pending for 30 years. The most vulnerable countries have made minimal contribution to global warming. But they face a lot of climate disasters. Who is going to compensate for the loss and damage they face? India was at the forefront of developing countries demanding a loss-and-damage architecture - a strong voice of the developing world. We are a big country, and it is our responsibility to take up the case of the developing countries, while making our own contribution towards climate actions. We have always maintained that in climate change, India is a solution, not a problem. We will fulfil our targets, make our contributions, but would also ask for climate justice.

10. In conclusion, Ladies and Gentlemen, India's climate-centric initiatives, as showcased in various COPs and during its G20 Presidency, underscore our nation's dedication to addressing climate change and transitioning toward a sustainable, low-carbon future. Our endeavors not only benefit our citizens but also contribute to the global battle against climate change. As PM Modi has rightly said, "Climate change knows no borders. It is our collective responsibility to protect our planet and secure a greener, more sustainable world for future generations."

Thank you!

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