Statement by India at the 29th Session of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (20-24 February, 2023) under Item 3 (d) on ‘Impact of New Technologies for Climate Protection on the Enjoyment of Human Rights’ delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 20 February 2023

Thank you Chair,

At the outset, my delegation congratulates you on your election as the Chairperson and other members of the Bureau. India thanks the Advisory committee for its study on this theme pursuant to HRC resolution 48/14. At this state, we have a general statement to make under this item.

2. We recognize that the new technologies play a crucial role in the development of affordable, accessible and adaptable solutions in areas of low carbon development, renewable energy generation and climate protection. Solar energy has, in particular, great potential to increase energy access, foster economic development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Madam Chair,

3. Preservation of the environment has always been a central pillar of India’s civilisation and culture. This has found reflection in the Government’s policies and programmes, including the National Action Plan on Climate Change. India’s commitment for scaling up climate action embodied in a 5-point action plan which includes achieving 500 GW of installed power generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

4. we have updated our Nationally Determined Contributions in August 2022 and have embarked on far-reaching new initiatives in renewable energy, e-mobility, ethanol blended fuels, and green hydrogen as an alternate energy source.

5. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) initiated by India at Paris Summit in 2015, which recognizes the value of national innovations, technology and their potential to support the solar energy solutions for climate protection, has now 114 countries as its members. With a view to promote resilient infrastructure globally to enable climate adaptation, we have also taken the initiative of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Recently, we have also launched the global Mission LiFE (i.e. Lifestyle for the Environment) which encourages individuals to change their lifestyles to protect the environment.

Madam Chair,

6. We believe that the international community need to forge a comprehensive partnership to harness new technologies, policies, financing mechanisms and economic incentives to reduce emissions.

7. We wish that the new Study of the Committee would focus on how best the Member States can generate the socio-economic benefit to their people through new technologies for climate protection for the full enjoyment of human rights.

I thank you Madam Chair.

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