PM Modi highlights Mahatma Gandhi's environmental foresight at RE-INVEST 2024

Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the environmental foresight of Mahatma Gandhi, emphasising that he lived with a minimal carbon footprint long before the issue of climate change became globally recognised.
"When the issue of climate change did not even emerge in the world, Mahatma Gandhi alerted the world. His life was of minimum carbon footprint. He had said that the earth has enough resources to fulfil our needs but not our greed. For us, green future and net zero are not just some fancy words but they are India's commitment," PM Modi said while addressing the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investor's Meet (RE-INVEST) 2024 on Monday in Gandhinagar.
"As a developing economy, we had a valid excuse to discard these commitments. We could have said that we cannot play a role in this sector. But we did not do that. We were the people who worried about the future of humanity," he added.
The Prime Minister further said that India is the first country in the G20 to achieve its Paris Climate commitments 9 years ahead of the deadline.
"Among the G20 nations, we are the only one to have achieved this feat. What developed nations could not do, a developing nation has accomplished. We are turning the green transition into a people's movement. Our PM Surya Ghar - Muft Bijli Yojana is a major initiative in this direction. Through this scheme, every household in India is becoming a power producer!," he said.
The Prime Minister highlighted the efforts towards achieving the target of 500 GW by 2030. "Among the G20 nations, we are leading. The country that could not be seen as a developed nation before will now set an example for the world as a developing one," he said.
He said that so far more than 1.3 crore families have registered for the PM Solar Rooftop Scheme since its launch. Highlighting the benefits of the scheme, PM Modi added that it has become a source of additional earnings for families. The scheme not only generates electricity for their consumption but also provides them with Rs 25,000 annually after selling the extra electricity to the grid.
He further said that the nation is determined to build a sustainable energy path forward adding that the focus is on solar power, wind power, nuclear, and hydropower to secure the future.
PM Modi said that today's India is not preparing a base for today but for the next 1000 years.
"Our aim is not to reach the top but to remain on top. Today, not only Indians but the entire world feels that India is the best bet of the 21st century. Global Fintech Fest was organised earlier this month, after which people from all over the world participated in the 1st solar international festival. Then people from every corner of the world came to the Global Semiconductor Summit and now today we are gathered here to discuss the future of Green Energy," PM Modi said.
"We don't have vast reserves of oil and gas; we are not energy producers. Therefore, we have focused on solar power, wind power, nuclear, and hydropower to secure our future. We are determined to build a sustainable energy path forward," he added.
He said that the RE-INVEST is not an isolated event but part of a larger vision and action plan to make India a developed nation by 2047.
"How we are doing this is evident in the first 100 days of our third term, visible in the decisions made for hundreds of districts. In these 100 days, our priorities are clear, and a reflection of our skill and scale is visible. During this period, we have addressed every sector and every area that is crucial for India's rapid growth. Numerous significant decisions have been made for the expansion of physical and social infrastructure," PM Modi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day Global Renewable Energy Investor's Meet (RE-INVEST) 2024, hosted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), in Gujarat's Gandhinagar district earlier.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Kumar Yadav, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai and Goa CM Pramod Sawant were also present on the occasion.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi commended the Prime Minister's leadership that has facilitated India to become a global leader in renewable energy.
"India is not only the fifth-largest but also the world's fastest-growing economy. Under PM Modi's leadership, India is championing the cause of clean energy. As the Chief Minister of Gujarat, PM Modi played a pivotal role in advancing renewable energy. Under his guidance, Gujarat emerged as the frontrunner in green energy sectors. Upon becoming the Prime Minister of India, he made it a global mission to create a cleaner and more sustainable world," Minister Joshi said.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel said that under the leadership of PM Modi, Gujarat emerged as the leading state in the renewable energy sector and added that the state's renewable energy policy and green hydrogen policy reflect the state government's commitment to a green future.
"The installed capacity of renewable energy in Gujarat is over 50,000 megawatts, with renewable energy contributing 54 per cent to the state's energy capacity. Gujarat leads the country in solar power installation," he said.
He further stressed the mission to produce 3 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum) of green hydrogen, positioning Gujarat at the forefront of the green hydrogen revolution in India. "Today, the state of Gujarat is emerging as a prime destination for investment in the green energy sector," he added.
The central theme of RE-INVEST 2024 is Mission 500 GW, which underscores India's strategic goal to expand its renewable energy capacity significantly by 2030. As the 4th largest country globally in installed renewable energy capacity, India aims to further consolidate its leadership in the global energy transition.
Key international partners for this year's event include Australia, Denmark, Germany, and Norway. Additionally, Indian states such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh will actively participate. High-level delegations from the US, UK, Belgium, the European Union, Oman, UAE, Singapore, and Hong Kong will also be in attendance, with some delegations led by ministers from Germany and Denmark.