Cleaner Alternative

As the world prepares for cleaner sources of energy, India is ready to reduce its reliance on coal and other forms of non-renewable energy, on the condition that developed nations provide the necessary aid. The process to avoid fossil fuels that create harmful emissions has already begun. Government authorities also told media that developed nations have been approached for financial and technical support. They further added that there are a few deals already in place. However, they will have to wait for these deals to fructify to begin the process of adopting renewable clean energy. Authorities also made it clear that wind and solar energy were now on their priority list. The government has decided to not allot further funds towards the expansion of coal usage but rather redirect them on creating renewable energy. India’s key negotiator, Ajay Mathur, spoke at the United Nations Climate conference confirming the above points. He accorded that India would focus on wind and solar energy and that coal would only be a backup in case there is a requirement of more energy resources. Ajay Mathur later briefed the media on the possibility of getting more funds to develop the necessary technology. He spoke of global warming being an alarming issue. Meanwhile, a lot of developed nations are showing interest in helping developing nations achieve this target. However, the interest appears superficial, as there are no real commitments from any nation regarding the same. 

At the Paris conference, countries debated and discussed pressing issues such as global warming, the minimum limit set up for the same and a clear timeline to achieve those targets. India’s Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar had earlier spoken to the media, saying that India posed no obstacles and would commit to doing its bit. Hence, it would be safe to say, India does not live under the illusion that climate change is a myth. India is one of the worst affected countries when it comes to climate change. In fact, India has taken greater initiatives than the US to reduce carbon emissions.

Countries across the globe have committed to creating a new international climate agreement by the conclusion of the Paris Conference. The attempt by the more affluent nations to embrace an agenda for climate change ignores the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibility (CDR) that was evolved at the 1992 Rio conference and 2005 Kyoto conference. This principle states that, it was recognised that stupendous rise in carbon emissions had been the result of 150 years of industrialisation by the West. The logic was that greater responsibility lay with the West to clean up the mess they created. However, the process to achieve this great goal still looks rather distant without any firm commitment from any developed nation.