US Withdraws, But India Reaffirms Solar Alliance Commitment 

NEW DELHI- India will continue to work with member countries of the International Solar Alliance, one of the 66 international organizations from which the US announced its withdrawal on January 8.

The government has noted media reports citing US withdrawal from 66 international organizations, including the International Solar Alliance, which represents 125 member countries, a senior official said.

The ISA remains focused on its objective of supporting member countries in collectively addressing key challenges to scaling up solar energy, in line with their needs, to achieve universal energy access, the official added.

The ISA will continue to work with member countries, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, in the development and deployment of solar energy, mobilizing finance, building capacity, and reducing risk perceptions, the official said.

The Trump administration has distanced itself from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and other bodies focused on climate and addressing climate change.

The US withdrawal has come as a setback in the fight against climate change, as the country is both the largest polluter and the world’s biggest economy.

UNFCCC, the 1992 agreement between 198 countries to financially support climate change activities in developing countries, is the underlying treaty for the Paris climate agreement. Trump is known to call climate change a hoax and is in favor of increased production of fossil fuels such as oil.  (IANS)