UN Environment Programme signs MoU with Maha government to implement Climate change mitigation programme

New Delhi:  To implement the climate change mitigation and adaptations measures, The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to support its ‘Majhi Vasundhara’ campaign for sustainable development.

“The beginning of a new partnership between UN Environment Programme and the Government of Maharashtra will support the state in the implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures,” said a statement from the UN office on Saturday.

‘Majhi Vasundhara’ (literally, My Earth) is an initiative of the Government of Maharashtra’s Environment and Climate Change Department initiative to empower citizens with knowledge on the impacts of climate change and environmental issues and encourage them to make a conscious effort towards improvement of the environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Maharashtra, Cabinet Minister of Tourism, Environment and Protocol Aditya Thackeray said “We should start to consider all possible avenues to get to Net Zero at the earliest. Over the next few months, Maharashtra will evaluate the investment prospects required to steer Maharashtra’s economy towards net zero. We have an imperative to act now.”

UNEP will support the state in educating and mobilising youth on plastic pollution and marine litter through UNEP’s Tide Turner Challenge across all educational institutes in Maharashtra.

 Under the partnership, UNEP will support the Maharashtra government on various clean energy initiatives and in its efforts to develop a strategy for carbon-neutral development in line with the Government of India’s vision.

“The time is right for Maharashtra to lead the drive in a clean energy transition with its recent renewable energy policy being an important step” he added.

“There is a global trend in which frontrunners are occupying a niche in different markets, not just in the energy sector, but in sectors such as transport, agriculture, electronics, chemicals, buildings and construction, textiles, to those taking advantage of what a circular plastics economy can offer. Maharashtra is well placed to take advantage of this transition,” said Director, Economy Division, UNEP, Sheila Aggarwal-Khan.

“This is an important step to enhance sustainable interaction between people and their environment, aligning respect for the Earth with prosperity,” Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, said.