Dialogue at COP28 should be about cutting down emissions: R K Singh

New Delhi: Union Power Minister R. K. Singh has said that the dialogue at COP28 should be about cutting down emissions and that it is for the developed countries to cut down emissions first.

Participating in the programme, R. K. Singh said “Developed countries are emitting at a faster pace rather than other countries. 80% of the total legacy carbon dioxide load is contributed by developed countries, whose population is one-third of the global population.

The Minister added that there cannot be any pressure on India to cut down emissions, since India’s rate of energy transition is the fastest in the world.

“India has achieved its commitments made at COP, well in advance, adding that India is the only country that has done that.

“We achieved our commitment for reduction of emissions intensity in 2019, eleven years in advance, and we shall achieve the updated target set for 2030 as well,” he said.

The Minister added, “We had pledged that we will have 40% of our capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030, while we reached that target in 2021 itself”.

Regarding India’s contribution of CO2, R K Singh said India’s contribution to the carbon dioxide load is only 3%, though our population is 17% of the world population.

“Our per capita emissions are 2.19 tons per year or one-third of the global average, while the global per capita average is 6.8 tons per year. So, it is for developed countries whose per capita emissions are 2 – 3 times the global average, to cut down emissions first” he added.

The Minister said that India’s power demand is growing fast and that there shall be no compromise in meeting this demand.

“Despite this, by 2030, we will have 65% of our capacity coming from renewables and we will still be among the lowest per capita emitters in the world” he said.

On green hydrogen, the Minister said we have emerged as one of the biggest manufacturers in the world. We have 7.8 million tons of green hydrogen capacity at different stages.

“Japan will be looking at a lot of green hydrogen and green ammonia, we should be the preferred country since they will not get it cheaper anywhere else”.

He informed that the agreement is being finalized under clause 6.2 of UNFCCC, to trade in green hydrogen and green ammonia. Once this is finalized, those countries which buy green hydrogen or green ammonia from us will get a part of the carbon credits, this will facilitate Japan in getting carbon credits”.