T P VENU
India is set to meet the international climate change target of 450 GW renewables and 500 GW non-fossil capacities by 2030. Experts opine it is within reach. As on February 28, 2023, India had a total renewable energy capacity of 169 GW, which included 65 GW solar power. India’s solar power capacity has increased several-fold in the last few years. It may be noted that India is among the top five globally in harnessing solar energy.
The challenge is to embrace the principles of equity and climate justice for which India has been in the forefront in all previous meetings. In New Delhi, it is India’s chance to once again urge developed nations to triple their renewable energy targets by phasing out fossil fuels, mainly oil, gas and coal. India will be pushing for technology, hydrogen, blue economy and circular economy.
India will be going all guns blazing to secure an agreement on equitably phasing out fossil fuels and for financing for developing countries so that the path ahead leading upto the COP28 would become meaningful.