Commitment to sustainable development full and final, says Union minister Javadekar

Mumbai: Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday said the government’s commitment to sustainable development is full and final.

Climate change is a reality with one degree rise in temperature caused by 150 years of uncontrolled carbon emission by the developed world, Javadekar said at the 11th National Convention on Sustainable Development Goals in Mumbai.

While 30 per cent of cumulative contribution was that of the United States, Europe, Canada and other developed countries accounted for 50 per cent and China 10 per cent, whereas India was responsible for only 3 per cent carbon emission, he said.

“The developed world went ahead with business as usual without bothering about environmental impact. Now it has happened, and we are suffering,” he said.

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision on climate change, Javadekar said “though India is not part of the problem, it wants to be part of the solution.”

India being well-aware of its responsibilities was committed to UN Goals on sustainable development, he said.

“Our commitment is reflected in every programme being pursued by the government,” he said.

He listed out Government’s ambitious 175 Giga Watt renewable energy programme, covering solar, wind, hydro-power and nuclear energy as a major step in promoting environment friendly development.

India had taken pro-active measures to discourage use of fossil fuels in a bid to reduce carbon foot print, he said. “The Union Budget 2016-17 has levied a green cess of USD 6 (Rs 400) per tonne of coal. This is perhaps the highest levy in the world, as even the United States taxes coal at around USD 1. If the developed world followed India’s example and levied higher taxes on coal, billions of dollars would accrue to pursue clean energy programmes,” Javadekar said.

PTI