PM leaves for Paris climate change conference; likely to hold meeting with President Obama
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday left for France where he will take part in the Paris Summit on climate change along with 150 heads of nations amid his emphasis that it is the responsibility of all to work against global warming.
Minutes before boarding the plane, PM Modi wrote on Twitter: “Leaving for Paris, where I will join @COP21. In the Summit, we will deliberate on crucial issues relating to environment & climate change.”
“At the @COP21 will inaugurate India Pavilion, showcasing India’s harmony with nature, environment & commitment to mitigate climate change,” Modi said in another tweet.
The Prime Minister further said that he and French President Francois Hollande will jointly host a meeting of International Solar Alliance.
During his two-day visit, the Prime Minister will speak at the ‘Leaders Event’ in which he is expected to touch upon issues pertaining to global warming and assert India`s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.PM Modi will also attend ‘Mission Innovation’ being hosted by US President Barack Obama.
Prior to his departure, the Prime Minister said in his monthly radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’: “The whole world is worried about climate change. There are discussions everywhere over it and concerns are being expressed…. The temperature of the Earth should not increase now. It is the responsibility and concern of all.”
According to media reports, Prime Minister Modi is also likely to hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, on the sidelines of the summit.
PM Modi’s emphasis on the responsibility of all assumes significance as the developed world is trying to place greater onus on developing nations like India in the fight against climate change.
India has been maintaining that the developed countries have been the major polluters over centuries and should assume greater role in fighting global warming by funding and transferring low-cost technology to developing nations.
Joining a select group of countries, India said it will provide USD 2.5 million for the vulnerable nations in the Commonwealth to help them introduce clean energy and reduce green-house gas emissions.
The two-week long summit is being seen as a key event aimed at addressing the climate change challenge.An international agreement on climate change focussed on curbing the emission of greenhouse gases is expected to come out of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference.
One of the important challenges looming over mankind in recent times is to keep the average global temperature rise below 2° Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.
Prime Minister Modi has always taken a strong stand on climate issues. He has time and again urged the leading nations in the world to take steps to curb emissions in order to give clean environment to the future generations.
