India announced the formation of the Global Biofuel Alliance on Saturday (September 9), urging G20 nations to join the initiative in order to increase global ethanol blending with petrol to 20%. Speaking at the G20 Summit session on 'One Earth,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi also proposed launching the 'G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation' and urged leaders to begin working on the 'Green Credit Initiative'.
"Today, it is imperative that all countries collaborate in the field of fuel blending. Our proposal is to take a global initiative to increase ethanol blending in petrol to 20%," he said.
In a statement, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen emphasised the importance of addressing climate change and the role of the G20 countries in this global endeavour.
Leyen said: "Climate change is man-made. So it means we can fix it. The G20 countries alone account for 80% of the GHG emissions. Africa, on the other hand, has less than 4% of GHG emissions. But it is among the most affected by climate change."
"To tackle this challenge, we need technology and we need finance. Delivering on the $100 billion climate finance target this year is a must. The EU is doing its fair share, with $27 billion delivered in 2021, and I want to assure you that we will continue to do so," she said.
PM Modi Calls For Sustainable Development & Trust-Building Measures:
In his speech, PM Modi referred to India's ancient wisdom, which dates back thousands of years and emphasises the importance of ensuring humanity's well-being. "Our ancestors imparted this message to us 2,500 years ago, and today, as we commence this G20 Summit, we carry this wisdom forward," Prime Minister Modi remarked.
Highlighting the challenges of the 21st century, he underscored the necessity of addressing them with innovative, modern solutions. "The 21st century demands that we chart a new course for the world, confronting age-old issues with contemporary solutions. To achieve this, we must shoulder our responsibilities with a human-centric approach," stated PM Modi.
Addressing the post-Covid era, Modi acknowledged the prevailing trust deficit in international relations. He linked this deficit to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and called for its resolution. "Just as we triumphed over Covid, we can also overcome this global trust deficit. I call upon all nations to work together to bridge this gap," he urged.
Prime Minister Modi invoked the motto of "sabka saath, sabka vikaas, sabka vishwas, sabka prayaas" (development for all with everyone's support, faith, and effort) as a guiding principle for global cooperation.
Looking ahead to the future and the imperative of finding solutions to multifaceted challenges, PM Modi proposed a visionary initiative. "I suggest that the G20 countries commence work on a 'Green Credit Initiative.' Additionally, India puts forward the idea of launching a 'G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation,'" he announced, underlining the importance of sustainable practices and environmental awareness on the global stage.