A high powered FICCI delegation visited the 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP 21) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Paris.
On the opening day of the climate summit various Head of States arrived in Paris with high expectations and armed with promises to act on climate change.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an International Solar Alliance (ISA) of over 120 countries situated between the two tropics with the French President, Francois Hollande at COP 21 Paris.
The Indian initiative aims to accelerate the development and deployment of affordable solar technology across the globe with pooled policy knowledge. Prime Minister Modi in his speech mentioned that “Solar technology is rapidly evolving with lowest costs and improved grid connectivity.”
In India the Government has made an ambitious target to install 100 GW of solar power by 2022. He highlighted that ”with such an initiative the dream of universal access to clean and affordable energy will come true and this will be the foundation of the new economy of the new century”.
Minister of power, coal and new and renewable energy, Piyush Goyal, read the declaration of the international solar alliance.
Leading global industry representatives from all sectors of the economy attended the event. FICCI delegation to COP-21 is led by Dr Jyotsna Suri, President, FICCI and Chairperson, The Lalit hospitality Group; and also included on day 1 FICCI President Elect and Chairman Ambuja Neotia Group, Harshavardhan Neotia; and FICCI Past Presidents, Rajan Bharti Mittal (Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Bharti Enterprises Ltd.) and Y K Modi (Chairman & CEO, Great Eastern Energy Corporation Ltd.).
Earlier in the day the FICCI delegation visited the India Pavilion during its inauguration by PM Modi. India Pavilion showcases India’s commitment to install 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022 and various other climate mitigation actions being implemented in the country.
At the India Pavilion which is designed on the theme of climate justice, PM launched a book, “Parampara- India’s Culture of Climate Friendly Sustainable Practices”. He mentioned that ”we approach the climate negotiations in a spirit of partnership, based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibility.”
FICCI delegation also met with various business leaders and Government officials at the Pavilion. Dr Jyotsna Suri highlighted that the ”Pavilion showcases our country’s harmony with the nature and our traditional beliefs to revere and protect our environment”. During the summit India Pavilion will host a range of events on various aspects of climate change. FICCI along with other partners will organize an event on delivering a sustainable financial system in India and prospects of accessing climate finance in the country on Dec 10, 2015.