INTERVIEW Prakash Javadekar on Vision for Environmental Sustainability in India SHAILLY KEDIA1 Shailly Kedia speaks to Shri Prakash Javadekar, Hon’ble Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India TERI: Recently the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recognized green growth and poverty eradication in the Ministry’s vision. What is the thinking behind this? Minister Javadekar: Our vision is to eradicate poverty in India, because poverty is a real problem which can be addressed through growth and development which has to be sustainable. Green growth implies environmental sustainability, more energy efficiency, reducing energy intensity, and decreasing emissions intensity. The growth process involves reducing emission, reducing energy consumption, and also creating more greens and creating new carbon stocks and therefore carbon sinks while growing in a balanced manner. Every growth will require some 1 Shailly Kedia is Fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Email: [email protected] THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON GREEN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT • 2:1 (2016) • 1-- 3 2 • INTERVIEW destruction, but the Ministry aims for growth without destruction or development without destruction, because this is possible in a sustainable way. We are not saying that we will not cut a single tree, but if we cut a tree we will grow five trees. TERI: Environment sustainability cannot just remain in the purview of environment ministries. How do you think environmental sustainability can be mainstreamed into development processes and other ministries can play a more proactive role? Minister Javadekar: There are initiatives for mainstreaming sustainability across the sectors. One can see adoption of sustainability in industries, by individuals, and other ministries. This is due to the new realization for finding ways to save energy, water, and how to utilize resources more efficiently and at the same time not pollute the environment. We have directed distilleries to go on zero liquid discharge and now the distilleries sectors is convinced, otherwise they were major polluters but they have come out of it. So that is the change India is bringing about. So with the new environmental regime, we are consulting stakeholders, ministries, and industries in different sectors as partners in progress, partners in sustainable development and it is not just the mandate of the environment ministry. TERI: Knowledge co-production and sharing is an important means to facilitate adoption of good practices. What does the Ministry intend to do to facilitate knowledge sharing involving variety of stakeholders? Minister Javadekar: As far as sharing of ideas is concerned, I am always with it because one has to share best practices and we are not hesitating anytime to learn best things from any part of the world, and from any agency, and from any individual or even from any organization. Knowledge adds up to experience which in turn adds up to your values and action for real global sustainable development and growth. TERI: How is the Ministry engaging with civil society with regard to issues on environment sustainability? Minister Javadekar: We are always taking citizens along and therefore, we have interacted with many thinktanks and non-governmental organizations who are working in the field of environment. We have also commissioned studies. We would like to take the civil society and citizens along as they are part of this evolving process. I value institutes like The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) which are engaged in real research, development, and studies across the board. Ultimately solutions emerge out of passion, knowledge, science, and technology. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON GREEN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT • 2:1 (2016) • 1-- 3 INTERVIEW • 3 TERI: On global environmental issues such as climate change, how does India see itself playing a leadership role? Minister Javadekar: India would like to play a proactive role in global discourse and encourage large networks such as the global solar alliance. Earlier the Ministry was known as the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The Prime Minister added ‘climate change’ to the name of the Ministry and the Ministry’s name is now Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (since 2014). India has one of the world’s largest renewable energy programmes where the government has set a target of 100 GW of solar power. In the climate change arena, we are also emphasizing on climate justice as well as lifestyles. In order to contribute to climate actions, we also need good technology and hence there is a need to overcome barriers such as intellectual property rights. In addition, a developing country like India also needs carbon space for sustainable development. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON GREEN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT • 2:1 (2016) • 1-- 3.