Delivering the keynote address at the first Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) Meeting in Bengaluru, the Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy R. K. Singh called upon the G20 member countries to join together in countering the challenges posed by global warming and climate change.

 

R. K. Singh 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, 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 US $18.5 billion, commented Singh.

 

In his special address, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines 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," added Joshi.

 

The first ETWG Meeting under India's G20 Presidency will focus on six major priority areas such as: Energy Transition through Addressing Technology Gaps; Low-cost Financing for Energy Transition; Energy Security and Diversified Supply Chains; Energy Efficiency, Industrial Low Carbon Transitions and Responsible Consumption; Fuels for Future (3F); and Universal Access to Clean Energy and Just, Affordable, and Inclusive Energy Transition Pathways. 

 

Renato Domith Godinho, Head of the Renewable Energy Division, Ministry of Foreign Relations, Brazil; Alok Kumar, Secretary (Power); Abhay Thakur, India's G20 Sous Sherpa; and V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Ayog spoke at ETWG meeting.

 

More than 150 participants including G20 countries and nine special invitee guest countries are participating in the three-day event along with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and many other international organisations.