Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav On India's Big Climate Action Plan

The IGF Climate Finance and Technology Summit, which opened in Abu Dhabi on December 12, zeroed in on the roadmap to COP28, to be hosted by the UAE, and the role to be played by partners such as India in identifying solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation.

Bhupender Yadav, India's Minister of Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, spoke about India's climate action programme and commitment towards achieving carbon emission targets. Addressing the summit virtually, Mr Yadav spoke about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Mission LIFE – or Lifestyle for Environment – climate action agenda that takes people as partners on the mission to combat climate change.

Whether it is individually or collectively, we must focus on mindful consumption rather than mindless utilisation, said Mr Yadav.

The minister said that India has already announced its enhanced NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) and has enhanced the 50% production of its renewable energy. He added that India is also using technology that helped reduce carbon emissions by 40%.

“India is among the few countries who achieved their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets those declared in the Paris,” he said. Mr Yadav shed light on the several initiatives taken to achieve climate goals.

Mr Yadav added that the focus should be on “mindful consumption rather than mindless utilisation”.

“As far as we are concerned, we say that India is always a part of the solution and not the problem,” Mr Yadav said.

Asked about his disappointments around the Egypt Summit, the minister pointed to news of some coal mines being opened in western countries. Looking ahead, he said India is keen to working together with the UAE for COP28.

“I feel by the next COP, the implementation stand taken in Sharm El Sheikh will become more strong and more progressive in the manner that all developing countries will get justice in the field of climate change,” the minister added.

The India Global Forum is a four-day event, starting December 12. During this period, the forum will talk about the opportunities to build dynamic alliances with world-beating talent, technology, and business partnerships that can make a global impact. Critical global issues will also be addressed at the forum.

This is the second edition of the India Global Forum. It brings together global changemakers and influencers from business, politics and the cultural field.

The India Global Forum will also explore how businesses and entrepreneurs can leverage the huge opportunities opening up at a bilateral level, but also how these two countries can work together in tackling some of the most critical challenges for regional and global impact.