New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Environment conservation is a commitment and not a compulsion for India, adding that the way forward is through collectiveness rather than selectiveness.
“We have adopted a multi-dimensional approach to chart a long-term roadmap for a sustainable lifestyle,” he said in a message shared at the inaugural session of the 22nd edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) here
Prime Minister said the environment is not just a global cause, but the personal and collective responsibility of every individual.
The Prime Minister said the transition towards renewable and alternate sources of energy, and the adoption of technology and innovation measures to find solutions to urban challenges.
“We have adopted a multi-dimensional approach to chart a long-term roadmap for sustainable and environment-friendly lifestyle,” he added.
Mr. Modi noted that He also noted that through the solar alliance and CDIR, India is helping countries work together and share ideas.
“Indian businesses are finding innovative ways to cut emissions and to collaborate with government leaders to attract more green investment capital,” he said
The Summit is being held on the theme of ‘Mainstreaming Sustainable Development and Climate Resilience for Collective Action’ from February 22-24 by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
Speaking at the inaugural session of the summit, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on said under G20 Presidency, the concept of ‘Green Growth’ is a priority area for India, particularly on the fact that how economic development and conservation of the environment can go hand in hand.
The Environment Minister noted that combating climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation transcends political considerations and is a shared global challenge. “India is contributing significantly to be a part of the solution”.
“India is taking strides at democratic and international levels in tackling the triple planetary crisis in the form of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution” he added.
“Combatting climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation transcend all political boundaries and hence is a shared global challenge” the Minister noted.
Mr Yadav said that Living in harmony with nature has traditionally been in our ethos and the same has been reflected by the mantra of LiFE”
Termed the General budget a “Green Budget” Yadav said “The Union Budget 2023-24, presented in the parliament earlier this month lays down the vision for green growth across multiple sectors with the underlying thought being that all future growth in the country has to essentially be green,”
He said that “With the concept of Green Growth being a priority area in the Union Budget, ….adding it validates the fact that how Sustainable Development has been mainstreamed in Indian policy-making process through a visionary approach”.
Speaking of India’s commitment to addressing climate change, Yadav said that India has already submitted its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy document at COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh which is premised on two major pillars of climate justice and sustainable lifestyles alongside principles of CBDR-RC.
“With this India has joined a list of 58 countries who have submitted their new or updated LT-LEDS” he added.
In his welcome address, Mr. Nitin Desai, Chairman Governing Council, TERI, underlined the link between conserving resources and promoting sustainable livelihood.
“The idea of a sustainable lifestyle has to become an important component of the global dialogue on sustainable development,” said Desai.
With the world approaching the crucial midpoint of the 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General said.
“It has been more than 50 years since the 1972 Stockholm Conference. Since then, the world has made many strides in bringing to the forefront the issues related to the environment, biodiversity loss, and climate change, and has achieved many milestones”.
Earlier, in the day, speaking at the Opening Session of the Summit, Mr Jeffrey D Sachs, Professor, The Earth Institute at Columbia University, urged the developing world to be the leaders of sustainable development.
“We need the whole world in the lead. We need India to be in the lead, we need China to be in the lead, we need Brazil to be in the lead,” he said.
The three-day Summit will have ministers from across the world, top government representatives, political leaders, and chiefs of international organizations deliberating on critical themes of G20 leadership and Green Development Pact; equity and climate justice; driving and financing sustainable development.
