India’s rapid solar expansion places it among global leaders, but further action can unlock even greater economic benefits
India has emerged as a global solar powerhouse, joining China, the US, and Germany as one of only four countries to install over 100 gigawatts of solar capacity.
Recognizing this achievement, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell applauded India’s leadership in renewable energy and urged the nation to take bolder steps toward a sustainable future, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
UN urges India to leverage clean energy for economic growth
Speaking at a curtain-raiser event for the ET Now Global Business Summit, Stiell highlighted India’s remarkable progress in increasing energy access while reducing energy intensity.
He credited initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and India’s ambitious clean energy targets as key drivers of its success. However, he emphasized that India has the opportunity to go even further by integrating climate action with economic growth.
India’s climate leadership and the need for a stronger roadmap
While acknowledging India’s achievements, Stiell urged the country to enhance its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Unlike traditional climate plans that primarily focus on emissions reduction, he suggested a broader strategy that includes:
- Expanding wind and solar energy infrastructure
- Raising living standards through clean energy investments
- Creating new jobs in the green economy
According to Stiell, a stronger commitment to the global clean energy transition will accelerate India’s economic rise and solidify its position as a key player in the new energy era
A global race for clean energy leadership
Stiell noted that as some nations hesitate, others are stepping forward to seize economic and commercial advantages from the clean energy boom.
His remarks, indirectly referring to the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under former President Donald Trump, underscored the need for integrated cooperation among governments, businesses, and society to align research, investment, and workforce training with clean energy goals.
Climate finance and India’s broader sustainability efforts
Beyond renewable energy, Stiell also acknowledged India’s commitment to sustainability through initiatives like Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement, which encourages circular economy practices and environmental consciousness at all levels of society. Additionally, he called on developed nations to fulfill their responsibility in providing adequate climate finance to support developing countries’ climate resilience efforts.
The future of India’s clean energy transformation
Emphasizing that the global transition to clean energy is unstoppable, Stiell described it as the greatest economic transformation of this era. He urged Indian businesses and policymakers to work together in making the country a global leader in the green economy.
“Electric India will never look back, and 1.4 billion people will reap the vast rewards, now and in the years ahead,” he concluded.
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