• YS Chowdary

Climate change and plastic pollution are two of the biggest threats the world is facing today. Our actions on them will determine how our future generations enjoy our beautiful planet.

This was precisely the reason the Paris Agreement was signed by 195 nations in 2015 where they pledged to fight the climate change by making various policy changes and by setting up Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to this great cause.

India has restated in an official statement recently that it would step up its nationally determined climate action plans. Taken together – the promise of a long-term strategy by 2020 and updating the country’s nationally determined climate actions provide a clear indication of India’s serious and steadfast commitment to global effort to tackle climate change.

As per it’s intended NDC, India set a target of achieving 40% of its total electricity generation from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. It gives me great pleasure to inform you that as per a blueprint draft published by Central Electricity Authority, nation’s 57% of the total electricity needs will be fulfilled by renewable sources by 2027. In the 2027 forecasts, India aims to have renewable energy installed capacity of 275 GW, in addition to 72 GW of hydro-energy, 15 GW of nuclear energy and nearly 100 GW from “other zero emission” sources.  This is tremendous progress on the set goals.

It is because of such initiatives from the Government of India that has earned our nation praises globally. Recently, the United Nations’ Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated India as a fundamental partner in the world’s fight with climate change and lauded our nation’s efforts by terming them ‘fantastic’.

Not just this, but even United Nations General Assembly’s President, Maria Graces praised India for its initiative to combat plastic pollution through the ban of single-use plastic.

It is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea as globally, the world produces 15 million tonnes of plastic waste to dump into oceans.

It is such compliments and recognition from global platforms that fills me with immense pride. I have constantly tried to be environmentally aware of my actions and I would urge everyone to contribute in their own way towards fighting climate change as well as plastic pollution.