India Pledges Support for Small Island Nations in Clean Energy Transition at COP30

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India's Union Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, reaffirmed the country's commitment to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in their transition to clean energy at the International Solar Alliance's (ISA) SIDS Platform during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. The event, which brought together ministers and representatives from SIDS, ISA member nations, and partner organizations, aimed to accelerate collective actions for energy security, affordability, and resilience. India has made significant strides in renewable energy, with over half of its 500 GW installed electricity capacity coming from clean sources. The country has already surpassed its Paris Agreement target of 45% non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, reaching 50% five years ahead of schedule. Yadav highlighted the importance of rooftop solar, with over two million families adopting the technology, and praised the benefits of solar-powered agriculture, which has made farming more reliable and dignified. He emphasized that solar pumps and solarized feeders provide assured daytime clean energy for all agricultural needs. At the 11th Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) partner countries' meeting, Yadav underlined the significance of cooperative mechanisms in achieving scalable, equitable, and technology-driven climate solutions. The JCM, a system for cooperation with developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has expanded its partners to 31 and implemented over 280 projects under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Japanese Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara, who chaired the JCM session, envisioned the collaboration to expand globally, facilitating frameworks for long-term investments and supporting capacity building programs. The partnership between India and Japan has been strengthened through trust, technology cooperation, and shared commitment to sustainable development.