From India's non-fossil fuel target to plastic ban: Key takeaways from PM Modi's speech at UN Climate summit

Addressing the United Nations Summit on Climate Change in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the world is not doing enough for climate change and called for a comprehensive approach to the issue, which involves education, values, lifestyles and developmental philosophy.

"The time for talking is over. The world needs to act now," PM Modi asserted while calling for a global movement to bring about behavioural changes in outlook towards the climate.

Speaking about India's approach towards environment-related initiatives, PM Modi said, "Need, not greed had been India's guiding principle which is why the country has come forth with a practical approach and road map. We believe that an ounce of practice is worth more than a ton of preaching."

The Prime Minister then went ahead to describe India's increasing push towards non-fossil fuel and its plan to increase the country's renewable energy capacity to 175 GW by 2022 followed by an aim to further increase by 450 GW later.

Modi in his Independence Day speech had spoked about producing non-fossil fuel in accordance with India's commitment to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

"In our vehicle sector, we have made plans for green transports through e-mobility and is currently working to increase biofuel proportion blend in petrol and diesel," he said.

Government initiatives such as providing 150 million households with access to clean cooking gas were also stated.

Describing the ambitious Jal Jeevan mission that includes water conservation, rainwater harvesting and water resource development, the Prime Minister stated over $50 billion will be spent on the project.

The mission that aims to provide drinking water to every household in the country was allocated Rs 3.35 lakh crore by the Center recently.

On International partnership projects, PM Modi stated that India has collaborated with Sweden and will be launching the Industry transition track's leadership group soon.

"The initiative will give the government and private sector a platform for cooperation in technology innovation area and develop low carbon pathways for the industry."

The issue of climate change triggered disasters and resilience measures, PM Modi said Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure will be launched in India soon and invited UN countries to join the initiative. 

Apart from appealing for a social movement on creating awareness against the harmful effects of continuing the use of single-use plastics, the PM also mentioned that he will inaugurate solar panels installed by India on the roof of the United Nations on Tuesday.

"How dare you?"

Modi's speech was interestingly attended by US President Donald Trump who decided to give a last moment surprise visit to the climate summit. The two leaders have shown deep friendship at the 'Howdy, Modi' address where Trump and Modi both gave speeches addressing 50,000 Indian Americans.

While Trump appeared to listen to the Indian Prime Minister's speech, reports have suggested that it unlikely that he understood the speech as it is unclear whether he was wearing a hearing device for translations. Trump's visit was unexpected as he has repeatedly rebuffed climate change concerns and is widely criticised for withdrawing from the Paris Agreement in 2017.

Swedish 16-year-old climate activist, Greta Thunberg repeatedly asked "How dare you?" to world leaders in her speech in which she accused world leaders of being profit-driven instead of thinking about the larger issue of the climate crisis.

"We are in the beginning of a mass extinction and yet all you can talk about is money. You are failing us," she said.

The founder of the global climate action movement called "Fridays for Future", was mocked by the US President later.

"She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!" Trump tweeted on Monday.