Budget 2015 to hold roadmap for India's actions on climate change, says Prakash Javadekar

NEW DELHI: Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today hoped that the upcoming Budget will give a clear indication as to how India would "walk the talk" on climate issues while negotiating a deal on emission cuts in Paris later this year.

Saying that India is already taking actions to address climate change, the minister asked the developed nations to fulfil their commitment towards operationalising the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and providing clean technology at an affordable cost.

The UNFCCC meet on climate change is to be held in Paris in December this year for finalising a new climate deal on emission cuts.

"I hope the Budget will give a clear indication on how we want to walk the talk. And, therefore, clean energy, clean water, clean air and many other initiatives of the Narendra Modi-government will get reflected in the Budget," Javadekar said.

On the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), to be submitted by India and other nations for negotiating the climate deal, the minister said, "We have already started our action. It is not intended. It is already implemented. So, the INDCs to be presented will be some of the implemented ones."

Already, eight missions -- on solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem, green India, sustainable agriculture and strategic knowledge for climate change -- are working and there would be new initiatives, he said.

"So all put together, we are mapping what can be the best INDCs... there will be a complete synthesis between the country's declared intentions and its action," the minister said addressing a conference organised by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).

Urging the developed word to "walk the talk" on the issue of climate change, Javadekar said, "They must come up with real contributions to the Green Climate Fund. If they provide, the developing world can take more action. That is our demand."

Speaking on the same issue at a Ficci event, Environment Secretary Ashok Lavasa said, "As far as India is concerned, we are already working towards finalising INDCs in consultation with the state governments."

The state governments have their own state action plans on climate change. "To an extent, the state action plans can be transformed into INDCs," he said.

INDCs will become operative from 2020 but nations should not miss taking actions right now, he said, adding that India is calibrating its approach to meet the twin objective of development and environment protection.