India wants world to work with urgency on climate: PM

Asserting that climate change is a major global challenge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the world must act with urgency to craft a comprehensive, equitable and durable agreement to limit global warming. In a forthright address on the margins of the UN climate change summit that got underway, Modi also called for a change in lifestyles so that the burden on the planet is reduced, observing that the lifestyles of a few must not crowd out opportunities for developing countries. "Climate change is a major global challenge. But it is not of our making," Modi said, as he inaugurated a unique India Pavilion at the summit venue, showcasing the country's commitment to combat green-house gas emission. Noting that the outcome of the summit is very important, the Prime Minister said, "We want the world to work with urgency... We want a comprehensive, equitable and durable agreement in Paris." The Prime Minister referred to the need for change in lifestyles both in his address and in an article in the Opinion section of today's edition of 'Financial Times'. "And, I will also call for a change in lifestyles, so that we reduce the burden on our planet. For, the enduring success of our efforts will depend on the way we live and think," he told his audience at the pavilion. In his article, Modi said, "the lifestyles of a few must not crowd out opportunities for the many still on the first steps of the development ladder." He also warned developed nations that it would be "morally wrong" if they shift the burden of reducing emissions on developing countries like India, observing that poor nations had a right to burn carbon to grow their economies. He said India's progress is "our destiny and right of our people. But we must also lead in combating climate change." Modi, accompanied by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, went to various stalls at the Pavilion and later released a book on environment protection. "Our Pavilion reflected our commitment towards combating climate change," said Javadekar. The pavilion will also showcase films on adaptation measures taken up by India. Officials said that around 40 films which will have around 21GB of information on adaptations will continuously run on the screen. There are touch screens to provide information to visitors on how India has taken adaptation measures in four regions, including conservation of coral reefs in Gulf of Mannar, glacier protection in Ladakh, heat action plans in Ahmedabad and Gujarat amongst others. In his speech at the India Pavilion, Modi said the problem of climate change is a result of global warming that came from "prosperity and progress" of an industrial age powered by fossil fuel. He said that although India did not create the problem of climate change, the country faces its consequences as there are risks to the farmers, the changes in weather patterns, and the intensity of natural disasters. Modi asserted that the extent of developed nations' commitment and the strength of their action must be "consistent" with the carbon space they occupy and these nations must leave enough of what is left of our carbon space to let developing countries grow. Terming the climate change summit as "historic", he said the conference is of great significance to India's future. "They (developed nations) should share resources and technology with those who live between want and hope, so that we can meet the universal aspiration for clean energy. It will also mean that the developing world will also try to have a lighter carbon footprint on their growth path. "We want the conviction of the world to be matched by efforts to create conditions in which we can succeed. Because our challenge is pressing, our efforts must be urgent," he said. He maintained that the agreement which will be reached at the end of the summit must restore balance between humanity and nature. The agreement at the summit "must lead us to restore the balance between humanity and Nature and between what we have inherited and what we will leave behind," he said. - PTI