Climate change is one of the most serious threats we face, not just to the environment, but to our economic prosperity, global security and efforts to eradicate poverty.
With just two months to go until the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris, it’s more important than ever to focus on the right solutions to deliver clean, secure, affordable energy for all. As major economies, India and the UK will play an important role in the Paris negotiations.
While establishing those solutions can be challenging, I firmly believe that we can succeed if we work together. After all, we already have strong cultural, political and commercial links and share world-class expertise in research and technology, which I am keen to extend further.
That was why I was so excited by the opportunities for partnerships with India when I visited New Delhi recently. I am grateful for the warm welcome from the Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister, Prakash Javadekar, shortly before he made a pledge to reduce the emissions’ intensity of India’s economy (by up to 35% of its 2005 levels by 2030).
One great challenge faced by both India and the UK is sustainable urban development – as cities will play a critical role in meeting our targets for a low-carbon economy. I was able to see first-hand India’s impressive actions in the area when I visited New Moti Bagh.
The renewable energy, waste recycling and rainwater harvesting systems in operation are showing others how resources can be more efficiently used and in doing so make urban development both economically and environmentally sustainable.
The New Moti Bagh site also demonstrates the key role business must play in making low-carbon economies a reality. It is a simple and powerful thought, as equal in its worth in Mumbai as it is in London, that only if green solutions are affordable for every citizen can sustainable economies flourish.
Governments must therefore create the environment that allows businesses to succeed and drive the transition to low carbon growth.
In Paris, the UK will be pressing for an agreement that sends the right signals to investors and innovators long-term and creates a level playing field for business.
This means having legally-binding rules that send the right signals to the markets to put impetus into new ideas on tackling climate change, as the costs of technologies fall.
I left India confident that together we can make our economies more sustainable and I am looking forward to working with India during Paris talks and beyond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK next month is an opportunity to further strengthen our energy and climate and wider bilateral relationship.
