05 FEB,Bengaluru: Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shri R.K. Singh has called upon the G20 member countries to join together in countering the challenges posed by global warming and climate change.Delivering the key note address at the first Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) Meeting in Bengaluru today, the Minister said that India now stands committed to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45 percent by 2030 from 2005 level. He said, the country also aims to achieve close to 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. Noting that India has been ranked amongst the top five performing countries in the Climate Change Performance Index, Shri R.K. Singh informed that the country’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions are far below the world average of 6.3 tCO2e in 2020. Various energy saving schemes of the Government have led to 267.9 Million Tonnes of CO2 reduction per year, resulting in an estimated cost savings of $ 18.5 Billion, he added.Later, addressing media persons the Minister said that India will not compromise with the present availability of energy base and will explore all feasible sources to achieve energy security. The ETWG Meeting will serve as a preparatory forum to draft roadmap for this, he added.In his special address, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines Shri Prahlad Joshi underlined the need for international collaboration to achieve universal access to clean energy. “Indians believe in nature-friendly lifestyle and practices rather than its exploitation. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the concepts of our life; and Circular economy is an integral part of our culture and lifestyle”, the Minister added.
