India’s leadership on photo voltaic, industry transition reason to believe climate goals can be achieved: UN

India’s leadership on photo voltaic and industry transition is the reason to believe the world can obtain its climate goals, a prime UN official has mentioned, asserting that as governments look to restart their economies after COVID-19, it’s important to pursue a restoration that isn’t solely sustainable, resilient and honest, but in addition job-rich.

UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed highlighted “encouraging news” on international efforts to overcome climate change whereas attending a webinar titled ‘People and Climate — Just Transition in Practice’ final week.

“Today there is encouraging news: Japan and the Republic of Korea, together with more than 110 other countries, have now pledged carbon neutrality by 2050. China says it will do so before 2060. India’s leadership on solar and the industry transition is reason to believe that we can achieve our climate goals,” she mentioned.

She mentioned the European Union and its Member States had a robust historical past of leadership on climate motion, together with the dedication to obtain internet zero emissions by 2050.

“It is essential that the European Union delivers on its promise to adopt a new climate target this year, by coming forward with a baseline of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030,” she mentioned, including that it’s also essential for the European Union to speed up its transition towards renewable power.

Amina harassed that there should be no new coal, and all present coal within the European Union and in all OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) international locations ought to be phased out by 2030, and by 2040 elsewhere.

“And the financing of fossil fuels internationally must come to an end,” she added.

The prime UN official underscored that as governments look to restart their economies following the devastation from COVID-19, it was important that they pursue a restoration that isn’t solely sustainable, resilient and honest, but in addition job-rich.

“The notion that we must choose between climate action and economic strength has been proven wrong. Investments in renewable energy yield three times more jobs than investments in fossil fuels,” she mentioned.

A simply transition should be a managed transition, she mentioned, urging all governments to work with stakeholders to develop a reputable, simply transition plans.

“Meeting the climate challenge means major shifts in our economies and societies, and these will naturally bring significant impacts on people, families and communities that touch the core of their identities and well-being. A just transition cannot be an afterthought; it an integral part of climate action and a responsibility for all of us,” she mentioned.