Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the G20 Summit session on Sustainable Development and Energy Transition, emphasizing India’s commitment to fostering sustainability and energy efficiency. Reflecting on the achievements of the New Delhi G20 Summit, the Prime Minister highlighted the group’s collective resolve to triple global renewable energy capacity and double the rate of energy efficiency by 2030. He also welcomed Brazil’s decision to prioritize these goals during its G20 presidency.
In his speech, Prime Minister Modi underscored India’s significant strides in sustainable development. Over the past decade, India has provided housing to 40 million families, clean drinking water to 120 million households in the last five years, clean cooking fuel to 100 million families, and sanitation facilities to 115 million households. These initiatives, he said, are cornerstones of India’s commitment to improving quality of life while maintaining environmental balance.
The Prime Minister proudly noted that India was the first G20 nation to fulfill its Paris Agreement commitments. Setting an example for global climate action, India has established an ambitious goal to generate 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, with 200 GW already achieved.
Prime Minister Modi also highlighted India’s role in spearheading global initiatives for sustainability, such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), One Sun One World One Grid, and the newly launched Global Biofuel Alliance. These initiatives aim to encourage international collaboration for a greener planet.
Addressing the developmental needs of the Global South, particularly the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Prime Minister Modi urged global leaders to prioritize inclusive growth and sustainability. He called for robust support for the Global Development Compact, an initiative India introduced during the third Voice of the Global South Summit. This compact seeks to address challenges faced by developing nations in achieving sustainable development.
The session highlighted India’s transformative journey in combining economic progress with environmental stewardship, offering a roadmap for global cooperation in sustainable development and energy transition.
