Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has said that India is among the best-performing G20 nations in meeting sustainability commitments. He was addressing the CII’s 20th Global Sustainability Summit in New Delhi today.
The Minister underlined that Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a decisive role in making COP21 a success. He said that the Prime Minister brought together the Global South and ensured that developed nations shared responsibility in climate action.
Goyal said India has upscaled its renewable energy targets five-fold since 2014 and created a national interconnected grid under the principle of One Nation, One Grid. He said the country is achieving its renewable capacity targets ahead of schedule, with 50 percent already installed. India aims to reach 500 GW by 2030, powered by Make in India products and self-reliant manufacturing.
The Minister highlighted that renewable power is now available in India at globally unmatched prices. He said transparent bidding reduced solar tariffs significantly, and today India can offer round-the-clock clean energy at highly competitive rates.
Calling on startups to innovate, Goyal cited the UJALA scheme as an example of how small steps, like replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs, can bring transformational change. He stressed that India’s supply chains are resilient, making the country self-reliant and confident to face global challenges.
On the economic front, Shri Goyal said India’s 7.8 percent GDP growth in the first quarter was possible due to the contribution of all sections of society. He noted that India is contributing 18 percent to global growth and is set to become the world’s third-largest economy.
The Minister also spoke about challenges of climate change, including flash floods and urban flooding, and said these should be turned into opportunities for growth. He called for responsible water use and recycling, pointing out that less than one percent of textile waste in India is recycled. He urged industry to adopt the Prime Minister’s mantra of Zero Defect, Zero Effect.
Goyal criticised developed nations for not meeting their Paris commitments of providing $100 billion annually to developing countries. He said collective global action is needed to build sustainable pathways and ensure responsible consumption.
The Minister informed that India is expanding its trade ties across the world. Free trade agreements have already been concluded with Mauritius, Australia, EFTA bloc, UK, and UAE. Negotiations are underway with the European Union, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, Australia (second tranche), Oman, and the United States.
Goyal said innovation and energy efficiency should become part of daily life. He gave the example of using smart devices to regulate street lights automatically, reducing energy wastage.
He concluded that India’s future rests on resilience, sustainability, and inclusive growth. He said with the collective commitment of 1.4 billion people, India’s growth journey will be sustainable, cost-competitive, and inclusive, reaching the last person at the bottom of the pyramid.
