Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said climate change is a reality with one degree rise in temperature caused by 150 years of uncontrolled carbon emission by the developed world.
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said the government's commitment to sustainable development is full and final.
Climate change is a reality with one degree rise in temperature caused by 150 years of uncontrolled carbon emission by the developed world, Mr Javadekar said at the 11th National Convention on Sustainable Development Goals in Mumbai.
While 30 per cent of cumulative contribution was that of the United States, Europe, Canada and other developed countries accounted for 50 per cent and China 10 per cent, whereas India was responsible for only 3 per cent carbon emission, he said.
"The developed world went ahead with business as usual scenario without bothering about environmental impact. Now it has happened, and we are suffering," he said.
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision on climate change, Mr Javadekar said "though India is not part of the problem, it wants to be part of the solution".
India being well-aware of its responsibilities was committed to UN Goals on sustainable development, he said.
"Our commitment is reflected in every programme being pursued by the government," he said.
He listed out Government's ambitious 175 Giga Watt renewable energy programme, covering solar, wind, hydro-power and nuclear energy as a major step in promoting environment friendly development.
India had taken pro-active measures to discourage use of fossil fuels in a bid to reduce carbon foot print, he said.
"The Union Budget 2016-17 has levied a green cess of USD 6 (Rs 400) per tonne of coal. This is perhaps the highest levy in the world, as even the United States taxes coal at around USD 1. If the developed world followed India's example and levied higher taxes on coal, billions of dollars would accrue to pursue clean energy programmes," Mr Javadekar said.
Mr Javadekar lauded the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, under which 5 crore rural poor households will be given free LPG connections.
"As the programme rolls out, every day 5,000 new homes will not be cutting down trees for firewood. This will be besides the health benefits for the women who cook," he said.
The minister also listed out plans to control vehicular pollution by moving to Bharat VI emission norms, policies on waste management and massive tree plantation drive through the Compensatory Afforestaton Fund Bill 2015 as other measures aimed at sustainable development.
Environmental clearance should not be a roadblock for development, he said. "While every effort should be made to ensure safeguard of the environment, development projects should not suffer due to delay," he said.
"In the last 20 months, my ministry has given environmental clearance to 900 projects entailing an investment of about Rs 6 lakh crore," he said.
While the 10 year average time for according environmental clearance was 600 days, his ministry has brought down to 190 days with a plant to reduce it further to 100 days.
On the Mumbai Metro Car Shed at Aarey Colony controversy, Mr Javadekar said there are sustainable solutions available to address the issue.
"The technology is now available to replant grown up trees through mechanised uprooting and replanting them at an alternative site. Delhi Metro is a standing example in this regards, where for every one tree cut, five more trees were planted," the minister said.
Maharashtra Industry Minister Subhash Desai said the prolonged drought, scanty rainfall, water scarcity and hailstorm in Maharashtra are serious wake up calls of climate change.
The 'Jalyukta Siva' water recharge programme being implemented by the Maharashtra Government was a true example of sustainable development, Mr Desai said and called upon the industry leaders to support it through their CSR initiatives.