India Aims To Reduce Carbon Footprint By 30-35%: PM Modi

‘Also, our renewable energy target of 450 gigawatt by 2030, a big aim, will be achieved before time...I am confident of that,’ Prime Minister says

GANDHINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the country was moving forward with the goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 30 to 35 per cent.

He also said that efforts were on to increase the use of natural gas by four times in this decade and to double the oil refining capacity in the next five years.

The prime minister said this while addressing the eighth convocation of Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) here via video conference.

“Today, the country is moving forward with the goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 30 to 35 per cent. When I told this to the world, it expressed surprise and wondered if India could achieve this,” he said.

“Our effort is to increase the share of natural gas in our energy needs by four times in this decade. Work is also on to nearly double the oil refining capacity in the coming five years,” he added.

He also expressed confidence that the country will achieve its renewable energy generation target “before time”.

“Today, per unit cost (of solar power) has come down to less than Rs 2 from Rs 12-13 earlier. Today, solar power has become the country’s priority. We have made a commitment to generate 175-gigawatt renewable energy and I am confident that we will achieve this before 2022,” he said.