India To Take Up Case Of Climate Fund Mobilisation

APRIL: Javadekar said the third point which India will take up is on technology support and that it should be "easily available and affordable" for developing nations. "Ultimately the fight against climate change is all about technology. It will bring solutions. Technology should be easily available and affordable. These are the issues which we will raise in the conference in New York on April 22," he said. He said that on April 23-24, more than 34 countries will take part in the Major Economic Forum meeting, where India will again put ahead these three points. Elaborating about the renewable energy programme taken up by India, the minister said India's plan of 175 GW of renewable energy is the "largest" programme is moving at a very "fast pace". "We have already achieved 40 GW. LED lamps are saving thousand of crore of consumer expenditure and electricity. They are is helping in saving power worth Rs 25,000 crore while nine crore LED bulbs have been distributed in one year. Apart from that, we are going ahead with free of cost energy efficiency pumps, solar pumps and hybrid vehicles. These are the mitigation action from India after Paris," he said. Elaborating about financial measures taken by India, he said while taxes are being levied on polluting vehicles including SUVs, the government is also incentivising vehicles which are environment-friendly. Noting that five per cent ethanol is blended in petrol, he said India has this year taken enthanol blending contract of 99 crore litres which has also helped in stabilising sugar prices. About increasing carbon sink, Javadekar said the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill (CAF) is expected to be discussed in the Union Cabinet tomorrow. "Tomorrow in Cabinet CAF bill is likely to be discussed. We have recieved report of standing committee. Suggestions given by the committee has been incorporated. The Bill will be tabled in the Parliament in the coming session. We hope that all parties will support it," Javadekar said. -PTI