India is playing a leading role in tackling global concerns, according to Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space. Dr. Singh highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is spearheading the global climate movement, and India is positioned to guide the world in its battle against climate change. He made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change, which transcends boundaries and societal divisions.
The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry is collaborating with ENTICE – Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge, a platform fostering positive energy transitions. Their Center of Excellence in Green Hydrogen (CoE-GH) acts as a knowledge hub connecting government, academia, and industry to drive partnerships for skill development and business ventures in the green hydrogen sector. Dr. Singh encouraged the PHDCCI to exploit the first domestically developed hydrogen fuel cell bus in India, which was launched in August the previous year.
Under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance, India is executing the world’s largest Renewable Energy (RE) expansion program, with plans to increase the country’s RE capacity fivefold. Dr. Singh affirmed India’s commitment to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity by 2030, along with substantial emissions reduction.
Dr. Singh emphasized that India has already exceeded its 40% renewable energy production target, set by the 2030 Paris Agreement. He underscored Prime Minister Modi’s announcement of significant strides in Hydrogen energy and the launch of the National Hydrogen Energy Mission. Dr. Singh outlined India’s strategies, including transitioning to clean energy, boosting manufacturing, enhancing energy efficiency, and promoting hydrogen through incentives.
He highlighted India’s efforts in developing a bio-based economy, which is projected to reach 150 billion USD by 2025, as well as the government’s engagement in funding clean energy innovations through public-private partnerships, as envisioned by Mission Innovation 2.0.
Dr. Singh mentioned various clean energy initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, Start-up India, Green India, and Smart Cities, which have fostered clean energy innovation across the country. He also referred to India’s research and development endeavors to find low-carbon alternatives to Single Use Plastics.
Dr. Singh commended Prime Minister Modi’s climate action plan presented at COP26, which aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and adopting sustainable lifestyles globally.
In the context of India’s 75th year of Independence, Dr. Singh discussed the trajectory of India’s future, emphasizing scientific and technological innovations across all sectors. He also touched upon initiatives like the International Yoga Day and the International Year of Millets, along with the healthcare program Ayushman Bharat, and India’s economic growth.
Lastly, Dr. Singh celebrated India’s accomplishments, including becoming the world’s 5th largest economy, significant growth in national highways, sanitation coverage expansion under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), and the achievement of providing clean drinking water to rural households through the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission – Har Ghar Jal’.
