Gadkari wants private sector to invest in renewables
India has taken several successful steps towards climate change and like the United Kingdom, the country has shown its adaptation plans are at the heart of its approach to climate change.
Noting this, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Minister of State (Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth), said, “Adaptation is the key focus of the India-UK partnership. Our common commitment to tackling climate change and the friendship between the two nations makes us ideal partners in finding solutions.”
It is critical that we all devise comprehensive policy framework to develop climate resilient infrastructure. This will significantly reduce socio-economic vulnerability to natural disasters by anticipating, preparing for, and adapting to climate change conditions, said Trevelyan, also the UK International Champion on Adaptation and Resilience for the COP26 Presidency.
She addressed the virtual session on ‘India and the UK – Partners for Growth: Unlocking Sustainable and Climate-resilient Infrastructure Opportunities’ on 4 Mar 2021.
One of the things which India has been a champion on is climate resilient infrastructure in its neighbourhoods, noted Alex Ellis, The British High Commissioner to India.
“That is what UK also supports and will continue to support,” he pointed out, adding that India’s scale and opportunities and the UK’s knowledge and expertise are a good combination.
The India-UK are exploring how to develop technology and the investment needed for adoption of alternate and green energy sources, Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways elaborated at the session, organised by FICCI.
“It is important to share experiences, collaborate on research and development and catalyse the private sector to invest in renewable energy,” stressed Gadkari.
The two countries’ partnership on climate action can deliver substantial progress towards reducing emissions and helping towards resilient infrastructure globally, he said.
India is taking several steps to achieve the national determined contribution targets for increasing renewable energy share through its ambitious target of achieving 450 MW renewable energy capacity by 2030. “One of the largest such expansion plans in the world is already underway,” he informed.
Gadkari noted the UK as the world leader in intelligent transportation system, AI, GIS and GPS based tools and infrared surveillance systems. This can be used in India’s largest road network can be facilitated with these advanced technologies for effective traffic movement and road asset management.
“We aim to learn success stories of each other to enhance our mutual knowledge as two great nations,” he informed.
“As far as India is concerned, we have limited resources, huge low-middle income population, demographic and cultural diversity but we also have a strong resolve for working towards a clean and green future.
“I strongly believe that societies must be liveable, workable and sustainable. India has a surplus of solar energy potential that we can use for electricity generation. This is the time for us to act upon delivering a sustainable infrastructure without compromising on the values of ecology and environmental,” Gadkari emphasized.
As per the Paris Climate Agreement, the Indian Government is committed in reducing its carbon emissions by 30-35% by 2030. The UK is also committed to reduce its carbon emission to net zero by 2050, he noted. #environment #projects #technology #investment #infrastructure /fiinews.com
