India Vows to Exceed Paris Climate Goals as U.S. Withdraws
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged on Saturday that India will not only remain in the 2015 Paris climate accord but will go “above and beyond” its commitments, including selling only electric cars throughout the country within 13 years.
Speaking at a news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, Modi described the agreement as part of “our duty to protect Mother Earth.” His remarks came as multiple world leaders reaffirmed their nations’ commitments to the accord and criticized President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States.
The Paris Agreement commits 195 countries—every nation except war-torn Syria and Nicaragua, which argued it was not strong enough—to keep global temperatures “well below” 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to “endeavor to limit” them to 1.5°C. India’s participation is critical: it is currently the world’s fourth-biggest carbon emitter, after China, the U.S., and the European Union.
Modi’s stance aligns with other global powers. The EU, Canada, and China have confirmed they will honor the pact. Canadian officials expressed disappointment in Trump’s choice, while Macron called it a “mistake both for the US and for our planet.”
On Friday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China would cooperate with European leaders who “worry about global uncertainty” following the U.S. decision. At the same conference, EU Council President Donald Tusk cited a joint EU-China statement promising to “step up” efforts against climate change, including raising $100 billion annually by 2020 to help poorer countries reduce emissions. “China and Europe have demonstrated solidarity with future generations and responsibility for the whole planet,” Tusk said.
Modi’s views also mirror those of many U.S. states, cities, and corporations that have vowed to continue climate action. After meeting with Macron, Modi said India and France had “worked shoulder to shoulder” on the Paris accord and stressed that both nations see it as critically important for all countries. “The Paris agreement is the common heritage of the world. It is a gift that this generation can give,” he said.
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