Also, there was no confirmation yet on whether the two leaders will meet again for a bilateral talk on the sidelines of Paris conference.
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“It is not just a question of historical responsibility”. Developed countries, which have historically contributed to the bulk of Carbon dioxide emissions, are morally obliged to support poorer nations without trying to dodge their share of responsibility.
He said India’s progress is “our destiny and right of our people”.
“As the developing world lift billions of people into prosperity, our hope for a sustainable planet rests on a bold global initiative”, he said at the event on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (CoP 21).
“The United States of America not only recognises our role in creating this problem but embraces its responsibility to do something about it”, Obama said, as he warned “the hour” of being too late was near.
Signalling Delhi’s commitment to ensure a productive outcome in Paris and taking a number of steps – as on carbon taxation and setting expansive targets for renewable energy production – Modi has put Delhi in a better position than ever before in the climate negotiations. “We are meeting at a defining juncture; a crossroads that offers both a historic opportunity to act against the threat of Climate Change, and a strong global will to take that course”, he said. By 2030, India will reduce emissions by 35 per cent of 2005 levels, and 40 per cent of its installed capacity will be from non-fossil fuels, he highlighted. “We should adopt the path of dialogue for resolution of issues”, he added.
He asserted that equity means that national commitments must be consistent with the carbon space nations occupy. The Prime Minister stressed that an effective “loss and damage” mechanism also needed to be incorporated into the agreement. “That will make clean energy technology available, accessible and affordable for all”.
“Energy is a basic human need”.
“Our innovation initiative should be driven by public objective, not just market incentives, including on intellectual property”.
“The pain of Paris is yet to heal”.
After his meeting with Obama, Modi said, “India is the first country in the world, protecting the earth and protecting the environment, Mahatma Gandhi was its champion”.
He noted that over next few days, nations will decide the fate of this planet. It is the result of global warming that came from an industrial age powered by fossil fuel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with French President Francoise Hollande launched the International Solar Alliance consisting of around 120 solar-rich countries with India in Paris on Monday.
While the majority of countries involved in the International Solar Alliance are developing nations in Africa, Asia and South America; the USA, China, Australia and several European countries are among the ISA members. India has pledged $30 million to build the secretariat infrastructure.
“We will support operations for five years, and together we will raise long terms funds to achieve our prescribed goals”.
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Speaking about the importance of the Solar alliance between India and France, Prime Minister Modi said that both nations want to bring solar energy into the lives and homes by making it cheaper, more reliable and easier to connect to grid.
