Declining air quality biggest global challenge: Goyal

New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) Checking the rapid decline in environment quality caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions globally has perhaps become the most important challenge for humanity, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday.

"The last 10 to 15 years have seen a rapid decline in the quality of the atmosphere due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions globally and it has become probably the largest challenge before humanity today," Goyal said in his address at the 8th World Renewable Energy Technology Congress here.

"Post the Paris agreement, the world as a whole has recognised that climate change is a serious issue and needs to be addressed globally in a mission mode," he said.

He strongly emphasised the need to further promote clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, failing which the global economy will slip into deceleration.

"With each passing day, we are running out of time and we need to accelerate our efforts in coordination to promote clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"If we do not address these 3Ds - de-carbonisation, decentralisation and digitisation - I am worried that the world might end up decelerating the global economy," he said.

The minister said that India is taking steps on the global platform to address the challenge, which include the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Mission Innovation, global engagements on rapid de-carbonisation of the energy space, the African Renewable Energy initiative and efforts by the G20 energy ministers.

A New and Renewable Energy Ministry statement here said this annual global conference is planned in the backdrop of India's vision on achieving "Energy Independence and Power for all by 2022."