How the U.S. and India Can Work Together on Global Warming

Andrew Steer, president of the World Resources Institute think tank, noted that India is home to half of the world's 20 most polluted cities.  The government has pledged to invest $1.2 billion in 100 "smart cities" over the next year and has been casting around for investors.  Meanwhile, he said, India's promised thirtyfold increase in solar capacity "could be a total game-changer."

Anjali Jaiswal, director of the Natural Resource Defense Council's India Initiative, said Modi's solar ambitions represent the best opportunity for the United States and India to position themselves as climate partners.  Air pollution and adaptation for climate change are major areas ripe for agreements later this month.  But, she added, if the Obama administration wants to steer India toward a global climate deal, boosting clean energy business will be key.

"Make commitments to show that the U.S. is serious about fighting climate change with India by providing clean energy access," she said.  The 100,000-megawatt goal, she said, "is a huge opportunity for U.S. businesses in terms of both technology and finance."

So far, there has been no shortage of attention to Modi's solar goals.  Before the summit, Secretary-General Ban inaugurated Gujarat's first 10 MW solar power plant and announced he would be sending former New York Mayor and now U.N. Special Envoy for Climate Change Michael Bloomberg to a major renewable energy summit in New Delhi next month.  And the World Bank's Kim said the funding institution plans to be closely involved in designing "solar parks and farms, grid upgrades and non-grid solutions" to meet India's target.

Kim said: "Because it can reduce the growth rate of the country's burgeoning greenhouse gas emissions, a vibrant solar sector can also be a key element of India's contributions to the Paris climate change conference."

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