Text of the Vice-President's address at the valedictory session of the 4th International Climate Summit

Distinguished delegates and audience, 

Friends from all over the globe, I take it as a great privilege and honour to address you all at the valedictory session of the 4 International Climate Summit. 

Climate change is a word that resonates every fora nationally and globally, it is soothing to gather that climate change is finding well deserved and needed resonance. The deliberations on contemporaneously relevant theme, “Bioenergy: Path to Viksit Bharat” will certainly go a long way in contributing towards the containment of climate change menace.

Dented corn ethanol has been talked about. I am son of a farmer, I immediately caught the idea on two counts: first, its productivity is three-fold, and second, it helps contain climate change in some sense. You have taken a good theme. 

Our planet, once pristine green heaven, is not a shade of its past. Not a shade. Bled by climate change, triggered by reckless exploitation of natural resources and deforestation amongst others, have brought us to near catastrophe  

Humanity is cliff hanging. Climate change balloon is getting bigger and bigger day by day its depletion can take place only when there is global convergence a consider consider attempt on urgent basis. This is one such initiative. 

Friends, let us never forget there is no contingent plan for us. We don't have another planet.  This is the only planet where more than 8 billion people can live. This should make us alive to the situation, the gravity, the extremity of all, and then to see this should be our priority. This should be our foremost priority.

Climate change is a bomb ticking by the second. We are running out of options. It is no longer a problem waiting to happen. It is getting aggravated every second.

Friends, if there is an existential issue before the planet, an existential problem, it is climate change for over 8 billion humanity. It's the worst problem the humanity has ever faced. 

A problem that we are experiencing, a problem that can no longer await solution, a problem if not urgently attended will lead to disaster for the planet community. The issue of climate change is not one that any single nation can solve by itself.

The global community is cornered as never before on account of this falling menace. Historically and proverbially, heavens have never fallen. With this global catastrophic situation, it may be realisation of the worst. 

Harmonious coexistence with nature, and deep respect for our ecology, has been an intrinsic facet of Bharat's Civilisational ethos. Look at 5,000 old civilisational ethos, trajectory over centuries and millennium, you'll find total commitment to nature, our Vedas, our ancient scriptures, script nothing but affirmative pro-environment mindset that has been integral to our lives and thought process. 

Climate change has emerged as a global disaster. Manifested as escalating sea levels, we see it every day. Prolonged droughts in every part of the globe.

Intensified wildfires, they are geometrically escalated. Unprecedented storms contributing to community collapses worldwide. These changes, friends, not only endanger vulnerable populations, but also threaten biodiversity and food security, placing significant strain on our natural resources and agriculture systems. 

Friends, as we confront these challenges, it becomes imperative to adopt a holistic and inclusive approach that leverages innovative solutions and sustainable practises. Let me tell you, of over 8 billion people that live on the planet, it is a problem of all of them and all of them are in a position to contribute in one way or the other. 

We only have to keep it in our mindset as a priority, we can do it at our home, in our factory, on the road, in our working, in our functioning. 

India has embarked on an ambitious journey. We have set a target to achieve 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources by 2030, and achieving net zero by 2017. You'll be happy to note India is among the lead nations to be working earnestly in this direction. 

India has set this target and working for it in a significant manner by taking several affirmative steps of policies and innovation.  The journey of India's commitment to biofuels was marked by a significant milestone when our first biofuel-powered flight undertook its maiden voyage in the year 2018.

The 2018 National Biofuel Policy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on imported petroleum by promoting biofuel blending with conventional fuels.  Complementing this, the National Bioenergy Programme, launched in 2022, encourages the use of surplus biomass while providing an additional income source for rural households, thus addressing both environmental and economic objectives and I gather dented-cone ethanol will be an additional positive factor that will capture the imagination of Indian farmers and increase their income as well. 

Friends, green hydrogen emission, there is already a financial outlay of 18,000 crores. This has capacity to invite investment of 8 lakh crores and jobs for 6 lakh. It is a significant step in the right direction so that we move towards positive step to contain climate change. 

‘Waste-to-wealth’, the Govardhan scheme is a component of Swachh Bharat. When the Prime Minister of the country from Red Fort, Ramparts announced Swachh Bharat, some people did not appreciate the focus and the depth of it. 

It has now become a big programme, also a facet to contain climate change. Modern bioenergy not only provides clean fuels but also helps mitigate pollution, enhances farmers' income, reduces import bills and creates local jobs. Just imagine for a moment, if our planet becomes livable as it was 100 years ago, it will be a good economic factor for us, soothing for us. 

We will get relief. We will not be choked in the throat then think to yourself, why are we not contributing? We are not contributing because we are having a mindset that our small contribution in a population of 8 billion people in a large planet will be inconsequential.

Have it from me, it will be the most consequential, impactful contribution you can ever make. Friends, during the G20 summit in New Delhi, a milestone for India. G20 gave India a great cutting-edge in soft diplomacy. 

The world came to recognise our prowess, G20 was featured in every state and every unitarity. There a significant decision was taken. Global biofuel alliance was lost. And this was a second attempt by India. We had already gone to solar alliance, headquartered in India. 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The 3R strategy isn't just a mantra; it's our collective battle cry in the war against climate change. It has high productivity. It signals collective battle and war cry against climate change. The transition to sustainable and developed India requires, mark my words, participation of everyone. 

Central government, state governments, municipalities, panchayats, NGOs, small and micro enterprises, large corporates. All have to come to one stage, have to be on the same page to tackle this problem. Because if not tackled, it will be non-discriminatory.  It will make no exception. You cannot have a safe place. You cannot have a bunker to save yourselves.