Chief Minister Narendra Modi yesterday spoke in detail about Gujarat government’s initiatives in the context of growing challenges of Global warming and Climate Change. Here is the complete statement.

“Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I would like to make a statement under Rule 44 of the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha with your kind permission with regard to a remarkable initiative taken by my Government in the context of growing challenges of Global Warming and Climate Change and the need to deal with them effectively. Hon’ble Speaker Sir, the world is facing a new crisis of Global Warming. As a result of that there have been unimaginable, unexpected and extreme changes in the global climate.

Developed countries along with the developing ones are also facing adverse effects of repeated natural furry and disasters. This is causing a negative and inhibiting impact on economic progress and development. Under these circumstances, Gujarat, which is committed to the ideology of multi-dimensional development action cannot remain nonchalant to this.

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I would like to draw the kind attention of the esteemed members of this House that the fundamental cure and solution of the problem of Global Warming has been integrated in the cultural heritage bequeathed by the great saints that our country has had. The erudite ancestors of ours have always treated nature and development as mutually complementary to each other and not mutually antithetical. Cooperation not conflict with nature, harmonious existence not exploitation of nature; has been the mainstay of our social behavior since times immemorial. With this ideology of synthesis with nature, we are better equipped to deal with the challenges of Climate Change and its adverse impact.

It is necessary for us to understand and comprehend possible impacts of Climate Change for Gujarat State and prepare strategies with a long term vision in such a way that this challenge is converted into an opportunity.

Gujarat has longest coast line in the country along with mountainous regions and areas of desert as well. We have a wide variety of flora and fauna unique to our State.

Gujarat has embarked upon a very serious and speedy journey of Development. We have to reduce severe impacts of Climate Change. We have to look after the health and well being of communities of our State living in drought prone areas, desert and coastal belt. Along with them, we have also have to protect flora and fauna from Climate Change impacts.

Gujarat Government has taken a number of unprecedented initiatives to deal with the challenges of Climate Change:

– A wide network of CNG operated transport has been developed to reduce air pollution.

– 2200 KM gas grid is being constructed very rapidly and this would reduce to a great extent, the CO2 emission in environment.

– With all around drinking water availability, we have tried to free people of Gujarat from fluoride contaminated water along with waterborne diseases.

– Narmada, Sujalam Sufalam and participatory check dam movement have led to tremendous recharge of depleted ground water resources.

– Dependence on fossil fuel has been reduced by promoting the usage of non-conventional and renewable energy resources.

– With availability of more than 300 days of sunlight, we have declared a remarkable Solar Energy Policy for development of green energy aimed at reducing the GHG emission.

– Recently declared Wind Energy Policy is also a welcome step towards development of non-conventional energy resources.

– We have aimed at turning Gandhinagar into a solar city by captive production and usage of solar power.

– We have adopted for the first time in the country an integrated strategy of providing clean water, clean air and non-contaminated food and thereby universal health to all people of Gujarat.

– Nirmal Gujarat and Bal Nirogi Varsha are social movements initiated by Government of Gujarat covering all aspects of environment and public health.

– By bringing qualitative improvement in solid waste management and public transport system and thereby earning maximum carbon credits in the country, Gujarat has obtained 29% of the total Carbon Credits earned in the whole country.

– By approving Green Credit Movement, our Government has gone a step ahead of Carbon Credits. Any new projects would have to provide for protection of green cover in this green credit movement, which will show a new path of development.

– For integrating Climate Change Education with our educational system, Climate Change Management Education Centre has been established in Gujarat University.

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, Gujarat Government has adopted a pro-active governance policy with respect to meeting challenges of Climate Change. The primary agenda of our Government of increasing Human Development Index of our Gujrat State also integrates the strategy of dealing with challenge Climate Change.

In this context, Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I hereby declare before this House the in-principle decision of establishing a separate Department of Climate Change in Government of Gujarat. I take great pleasure in declaring that Gujarat has taken this initiative to establish a separate Climate Change Department not only for the first time in whole of India but for the first time in the whole of Asia. In the global context, there are only six countries in the world having separate Ministries / Departments of Climate Change. In the whole of world, the process of establishment of a separate Climate Change administrative structure is in nascent stage both in developed countries and in developing countries. Under these circumstances, the decision of Government of Gujarat to establish a separate Department of Climate Change would be a path breaking, pro-active good governing step in the direction of Gujarat’s fight against Climate Change.

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, the separate department of Climate Change in Government of Gujarat would act as a bridge between the Government and the society with following mandates:

– Preparation of comprehensive multi-dimensional Climate Change Policy of Gujarat State.

– Coordination with all other departments with respect to Climate Change.

– Gujarat has 1600 KM of coastal line. The department would undertake detailed and extensive research and survey with regard to impacts of Climate Change on coastal area. This would cover the possible impacts on Gujarat coast due to sea level rise, changes in agricultural productivity, new challenges to health and infrastructure facilities in the coastal areas and the measures that would be required to deal with them.

– The department would prepare a pro-active policy to convert the challenge of Climate Change into an opportunity. Maximum usage of Green Technology and investments thereof would be promoted. This department would become a nodal agency for turning Green Technology into a new economic driver by creation of extensive employment opportunities.

– Revolving Fund for R&D in Green Technology and promotion of its usage would also be established.

– Preparation of integrated strategy for environment in its dimensions like land, air & water.

– Intensive efforts will be undertaken for earning to maximum of Carbon Credits.

– Educational curricula on Climate Change will be prepared and introduced.

– Universities will undertake R&D on Climate Change along with introduction of new courses and teachers training modules on Climate Change.

– For reducing GHG emission in industries like Cement, Alkalis, Chemical Fertilizers, Textiles and Chemicals, etc. new technologies will be developed along with creation of appropriate regulatory and financial mechanisms.

– Public Participation and Public Awareness will be developed in this cause in an extensive way.

– Cooperation with national and international agencies will be undertaken. Constant interactions and consultation will be undertaken with National Clean Development Authority and concerned international agencies under the umbrella of United Nations.

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, the Challenges of Climate Change are grave not only for our generation, but for generations to come. When Gujarat is leading in the field of human development in the global context, this path breaking initiative of ours will receive all around support and applause from you all in meeting with the challenges of Climate Change.”