PM Modi pitches India as host for climate conference in 2028, calls on countries to rise above self-interest

India has hosted this annual climate change conference once earlier, COP8 in 2002. Then, the scale of this conference used to be much smaller unlike the most high-profile annual event that it has evolved into now, attracting the attendance of over 100 heads of states and governments, topmost global business leaders, celebrities and others.

The only world leader sitting on the dais at the opening plenary with
COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber and UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Steill, Modi spoke about India’s own actions on climate change. And reiterated that India was among very few large economies which were on track to fulfil their climate commitments. He said every other country must also do so.

“We do not have much time to correct the mistakes of the previous century. If we think only about our own interests, it will push the planet towards darkness. Countries need to rise above their narrow self-interests, and fulfil their all their climate obligations. Each one of us has to fulfil our respective responsibilities. We have to take the pledge that we will deliver on our promises and commitments, and achieve our targets,” Modi said.

“We also will have to be ambitious (in our climate actions)… The energy transition (that is required) has to be just, inclusive, equitable and innovative. We must develop innovative technology… and the developed countries must agree to transfer this technology to others,” he said.

While recalling the global climate initiatives India had launched — International Solar Alliance, Coalition of Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure, and Lifestyle for Environment Campaign – and climate-related decisions like renewable energy tripling and Global Biofuels Alliance taken by the G20 summit under its presidency, Modi made another offering to the world.

He said India’s recently launched Green Credits Initiative is something that the entire world should adopt. The programme launched by the Environment Ministry is a way of incentivising environmental actions by offering green credits for projects that help the environment in any way. In its first round, activities in water conservation and afforestation would be acknowledged.

Modi participated in a separate programme at the COP28 meeting, focused on this Green Credits Initiative.

“This is an alternative market-based mechanism that prioritises public participation in environment positive projects. It is a pro planet, proactive and positive initiative,” Modi said.