Govt. to Create System for MSMEs to Reduce Carbon Footprint: CK Mishra, MoEFCC Secretary

Speaking at the 11^th India Climate Policy and Business Conclave 2018 at New Delhi, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) Secretary, C K Mishra, said that the government is working on a pilot project on developing carbon pricing instruments, particularly for the waste and MSME sectors where the possibility of carbon reduction is maximum.

He also said ZED, ‘zero defect zero effect’, the programme is very critical and is one of the top priorities of the government.

He also explained that the global pre-2020 commitments on reductions in carbon emissions were sacrosanct and emphasized that climate finance and technology transfer were critical not just for India but for many other countries that were completely dependent on a dedicated fund for combating the impact of climate change.

He told the industry that its request for allowing a couple of years more for implementing emission norms and targets would be granted only if it was accompanied by a concrete roadmap of action.

Mishra said that while the Government of India was working on a regulatory framework to facilitate climate change mitigation efforts of industry, “We expect the industry to make use of the new technologies to reduce carbon emissions.”

Country Director, GIZ India, Dr Julie Reviere, said that the role of the private sector is essential in mobilizing climate change.

Businesses are taking lead in climate change. This is happening because they realize that it is good for them and also that the cost of action is cheaper than cost of inaction, she said.

She added that it can unlock the vast potential of economic growth for all regions and for all people.

She underscored the critical need to draw up action plans and roadmaps which were inclusive and participatory and ensure that the instruments to implement the plans were diverse and cost-effective.

GIZ India has been implementing several Indo-German bilateral projects with several ministries, she said.

She added that GIZ India remained committed to engaging with the MoEFCC to help India meet its Nationally Determined Commitments (NDC) targets.