New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday emphasised that clean and green environment is at the root of his government’s policies, as he was
presented the UN’s Champions of the Earth Award by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Mr Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron were jointly awarded the UN’s highest environmental honour for their pioneering work in championing
the International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of cooperation on environmental action, according to a statement from the United Nations Environment Progra-mme (UNEP).
In his address, Mr Modi said climate and calamity are linked to culture, and it will be difficult to avoid calamity as long as concerns for the climate do not become a part of culture.
India’s commitment to environment has only increased, he said, adding that his government is working to bring down “emission intensity” by 20-25 per
cent in the next two years against its 2005 figure and by 30-35 per cent by 2030. “We have also pledged to get rid of single-use plastics by 2022,” he said in his speech.
