G-56

India has recently been somewhat rattled by the new US-China climate change deal, in which the world’s two largest polluters have signed a deal to substantially reduce their carbon emissions by 2030; with China setting a target of 20% renewable energy by 2030. India has an active member in climate change talks. India wants an equitable deal with the developed western countries in which it is allowed to increase emissions. The country’s per capita emissions are 1/10^th of the West and it feels that it is unfair for it to reduce emissions, given that most of its population lives in dire poverty. Development will require increased energy which means more emissions. At this stage of the development cycle, it cannot afford to reduce carbon emission like the West can.

It does not have the resources nor the high per capita figures. The West on the other hand does not want to take into account history. To negate the western stand, India wants to show that it is increasing its commitment to green energy dramatically despite its limited resources. The country recently changed its solar target to 100 GW from 20 GW by 2022. This will make it one of the largest solar energy producers in the world. It is already the 5^th largest country in terms of wind energy capacity.

The country now wants to take the leadership role in climate change talks by bringing together 56 countries with high solar insolation in a common grouping. This group will try to lower the cost of solar energy through common efforts in R&D and manufacturing. India has one of the lowest costs of solar installation in the world, with prices of less than 10c/watt. Having common standards and pooling resources will allow a further sharp decrease in costs.