India had formally joined the Paris Climate Change Agreement at the United Nations and agreed along withnearly 200 countries in Paris last December to work against global warming. The deal aims to cut down greenhouse gas emissions by shifting away from fossil fuels to limit the global warming. India which is the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases who adds 4.5% greenhouse gases, has submitted its instrument of ratification at the UN headquarters in New York on Sunday, on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Narendra Modi’s cabinet had given its approval on Wednesday and Environment ministry spokesman Himank Kothiyal informed that the Indian officials would hand over the ratification instruments to UN officials in New York on Sunday.Putting a Gandhi seal on the climate deal, the country will now urge the global community to adopt ‘Gandhian way of life’ to minimize carbon footprints and protect the earth from adverse impact of climate change.
The Paris agreement will come into action when 55 countries that contribute to at least 55% of total global emissions will ratify the deal. So far, 61 countries have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval that are accountable for 47.8% of global emissions. Last December 185 nations adopted the Paris agreement, both rich and poor countries, to take action to slash the rise in global temperatures to save nature and melting glaciers.
India has committed that within 2030, at least 40% of its electricity will be generated from non-fossil sources which includes 175GW renewable energy capacity by 2022. Manish Bapna the executive vice-president and managing director of the World Resources Institute said that India “has one of the boldest renewable energy targets in the world, making it destined to be a major player in solar and wind markets”.
The next climate conference (COP22) will be at Marrakech in Morocco, from November 7.
