India, France Appointed President and Co-President of ISA For 2024-26

India and France have been elected as President and Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a two-year term from 2024 to 2026. India was the sole candidate for the presidency, while France won the co-presidency in a contest with Grenada.

Election Results

• India was the sole candidate for the position of ISA President.
• The Co-Presidency was contested between France and Grenada, with France emerging as the winner.

ISA Assembly Event

• The Seventh Session of the ISA Assembly is underway at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from 3 to 6th November, 2024. 
• Ministers and representatives from 29 countries are in attendance to discuss solar energy goals and initiatives.

India’s Role and Impact

• Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who is also the ISA President, emphasized that India’s election reflects its substantial contributions to global solar energy efforts.
• Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has been advancing solar adoption and boosting investments in essential solar projects worldwide.

Future Ambitions

• India and France, together with ISA member countries, aim to elevate ambitions in promoting solar energy and making a transformative impact globally.
• The ISA leadership promises a decade of accelerated solar energy progress to benefit countries around the world.

Regional Vice Presidents and Vice Chairs

ISA has appointed eight Vice Presidents, two from each of its four geographical regions,

• Africa: Ghana and Seychelles as Vice Presidents; South Sudan and Comoros as Vice Chairs.
• Asia and the Pacific: Australia and Sri Lanka as Vice Presidents; United Arab Emirates and Papua New Guinea as Vice Chairs.
• Europe and Others: Germany and Italy as Vice Presidents; Greece and Norway as Vice Chairs.
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Grenada and Suriname as Vice Presidents; Jamaica and Haiti as Vice Chairs.

New Director General-Designate

• Ashish Khanna has been named the Director General-Designate, set to assume office in March 2025 after Ajay Mathur’s term concludes.

ISA’s Mission and Investment Goals

• The ISA, established in 2015 by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and France’s President François Hollande, seeks to mobilize over USD 1,000 billion by 2030 to support large-scale solar energy deployment.
• Its objectives include scaling up solar energy, reducing the cost of solar power, and promoting innovation in solar technology through demand aggregation and capacity building.

ISA’s Role in Green Energy Transition

• The ISA promotes renewable energy as a crucial solution for reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• Solar energy is increasingly seen as a key to global climate mitigation efforts, aligning with worldwide efforts to expand green energy sources.

ISA Demonstration Projects (Initiated in 2020)

• Targeted at Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• Aimed to showcase scalable solar technology applications and build member countries’ capacity to implement solar solutions.
• Countries Benefiting from 11 Projects: Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cuba, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Samoa, Senegal, The Gambia, and Tonga.

Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme

• Proposed funding support between 10% and 35% of a solar project’s cost for LDCs and SIDS.
• Countries self-identify solar projects eligible for grants, provided they secure 90% of the project’s total cost.

Background of India’s “Panchamrit” Pledge at COP26

Key Commitments for Climate Action

At the 2021 COP26 summit, India presented an ambitious “Panchamrit” pledge outlining its commitments to combat climate change. Here are the main goals,

500 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity by 2030

• India aims to achieve a total of 500 gigawatts (GW) of electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
• This includes renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro.

50% of Energy from Renewables by 2030

• India plans to generate half of its total energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030.
• This shift to renewables will reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Reduction of 1 Billion Tonnes in Emissions by 2030

• India is committed to reducing its projected total emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030.
• This target underscores India’s dedication to lowering its carbon footprint over the next decade.

45% Reduction in Emissions Intensity of GDP by 2030

• India aims to decrease the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% compared to 2005 levels by 2030.
• This target reflects India’s goal of achieving economic growth with fewer emissions.

Achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2070

• India has set a target to reach net-zero emissions by 2070.
• This commitment aligns with global efforts to limit temperature rise and mitigate climate change impacts.