Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful and forward-looking speech at the 2nd International Conference on Green Hydrogen today, calling for immediate global action and collaborative efforts to advance the Green Hydrogen sector. Addressing a diverse audience of global leaders, scientists, and industry experts, Modi highlighted the critical role of Green Hydrogen in tackling climate change and promoting sustainable energy solutions.
Opening his address, Modi welcomed the attendees and underscored the urgent need for transformative action in response to the current climate crisis. “The world is going through a crucial transformation,” he said. “Climate change is not a distant concern; its effects are being felt today. The time for action is here and now.”
Modi proudly noted India’s significant progress in green energy, revealing that the country had fulfilled its Paris Agreement commitments nine years ahead of schedule. He pointed to substantial increases in non-fossil fuel and solar energy capacities over the past decade, with non-fossil fuel capacity growing by nearly 300% and solar energy capacity surging by over 3,000%.
Despite these accomplishments, Modi emphasized that India’s commitment to a greener future is ongoing. “We are not resting on our achievements,” he stated. “Our focus is on enhancing existing solutions and exploring new and innovative areas, including Green Hydrogen.”
The Prime Minister hailed Green Hydrogen as a game-changer for the global energy landscape. He explained that it holds the potential to decarbonize industries that are challenging to electrify, such as refineries, fertilizers, steel production, and heavy-duty transportation. Additionally, Modi suggested that Green Hydrogen could serve as an effective storage solution for excess renewable energy.
Introducing the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which was launched in 2023, Modi outlined India’s vision to become a global leader in Green Hydrogen production, utilization, and export. “The National Green Hydrogen Mission is driving innovation, infrastructure development, industry growth, and investment,” he said. He also highlighted the government’s efforts in funding research and development, fostering industry-academia partnerships, and supporting start-ups in the Green Hydrogen sector.
Emphasizing the importance of international cooperation, Modi called for a united global effort to address climate change and energy transition challenges. He stressed the need for joint investments in research, scaling up production, reducing costs, and building infrastructure. “The solutions to our global challenges must be global,” Modi asserted.
Reflecting on the outcomes of the G20 Summit held in India in September 2023, Modi reminded attendees of the five high-level voluntary principles on Hydrogen adopted in the New Delhi G20 Leaders’ declaration. These principles are guiding global efforts toward a unified approach to Green Hydrogen.
Modi urged domain experts and scientists to lead the way in advancing Green Hydrogen technologies. He posed critical questions about improving the efficiency of production components and exploring new sources for Green Hydrogen production. “Exploring such topics will greatly enhance our green energy transition,” he said, expressing confidence in the ability of conferences like the one in New Delhi to foster meaningful dialogue and innovation.
In closing, Modi evoked a sense of collective responsibility and innovation, recalling humanity’s history of overcoming challenges through unity and creativity. “We can achieve anything when we work together,” he concluded, urging global collaboration to accelerate the development and deployment of Green Hydrogen. The Prime Minister’s address set a tone of optimism and urgency, reinforcing the need for concerted global efforts to build a more sustainable and greener future.
