Developed Nations ‘Enjoyed Fruits of Energy’ Must Cut Emissions, Says India Ahead of COP26  Summit

Piyush Goyal said the country will "represent the voice of the developing world" as it fights climate change to ensure a better planet for future generations

G20 leaders in Rome (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: India has taken a strong stand asking developed nations that have "enjoyed the fruits of energy" to reach net-zero faster so that emerging economies use some "carbon space" to drive growth. Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who had accompanied PM Modi to Italy, said, "Developed nations have enjoyed the fruits of energy and they will need to go for net-zero faster so that developing nations have some carbon space. For now, there is no adequate technology to absorb a large amount of clean energy into grids. There is a need to look at more technology and innovation before we can identify the year (for achieving net-zero)."

Goyal made the statement ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP26 to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, on Monday. 'Net zero emissions' basically means achieving an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions are taken out of the atmosphere. 

 On reaching Glasgow, Modi tweeted, "Will be joining the  @COP26  Summit, where I look forward to working with other world leaders on mitigating climate change and articulating India’s efforts in this regard."

Goyal said the country will "represent the voice of the developing world" as it fights climate change to ensure a better planet for future generations.

"India pushed for safeguarding interests of the developing world. For the first time, G20 has identified sustainable and responsible consumption as critical enablers for achieving climate goals," Goyal said.

In the Rome Declaration that was released after the two-day Summit, under the initiative "Support to vulnerable countries", the G20 welcomed recent pledges worth around $45 billion, as a step towards a total global ambition of $100 billion of voluntary contributions for countries most in need.

It implies that developed nations of the G20 will work towards a combined $100 billion fund to help emerging economies meet their clean energy targets. Before Goyal's address, the summit president Alok Sharma in his opening speech had said the COP26 climate negotiations are the "last, best hope" to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius alive.

(With AFP inputs)