Modi's India became global voice of climate change: Union Environment Minister

New Delhi: Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav claimed that India is the voice of climate change for the developing nations of the world. Addressing a Lok Sabha discussion on 'climate change' on Thursday, the minister said that India under the Narendra Modi-led government in India is one of the few countries that achieved the set Nationally Determined Contributions in 2015 before time. Thus, under Modi, India has set "an example for others", The Indian Express reported.

The minister said that PM Modi had always been concerned about climate justice. Mostly, developed nations are responsible for carbon emissions, and they must take the responsibility, he said. If climate change is to be fought with joint efforts of developed and developing countries, developing countries must be supplied with climate finance and technologies, he said.

The minister reminded that the PM has talked about various aspects of India's resistance to climate change at the COP26 meeting in Glasgow. These include the country's aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070. The developed nations account for 17 per cent of the world population but contribute 60 per cent of the global carbon emission. Meanwhile, India, which hosts 17 per cent of the world's population but emits a mere 4 per cent, the minister said. He claimed that India's lifestyle could teach the globe how to live in harmony with nature.

Bhupendra Yadav further said that climate change affects everyone beyond borders, citing that the new cyclone hitting Indian coastal lines in the last few years shows that we are also vulnerable.

Under PM Modi, India's voice has been heard internationally, created a strong identity for itself, and none can suppress the Indian voice or ignore it, the minister claimed.