Sunshine countries

Sunshine countries

Sunshine Countries

World map showing the Tropic of Cancer
Abbreviation ISA (International Solar Alliance)
Type International Group
Legal status Active
Purpose Bring together a group of nations to endorse clean energy, sustainable environment, public transport and climate
Headquarters New Delhi, India
Location
  • Announced at Paris Climate Summit
Region served
countries between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn

The sunshine countries comprise all major countries which come either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi launched the initiative to form a group of 107 sunshine countries at the India Africa Summit and held a meeting among them before the conclave of 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris on 30 November 2015.[1][2][3] He has coined a term for them as "suryaputra," or "sons of the sun".[4] The alliance is also called International Agency for Solar Policy and Application (IASPA).[5] The headquarters will be set up in India with an investment of an initial $30M. In first phase, $400M will be raised from membership fees along with international agencies.[6] India already has ambitious targets of achieving renewable energy that it will generate more than 175GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022 and decrease emissions by 33 to 35 percent by 2030.[7] India will endorse clean energy, sustainable environment, public transport and climate adaptive agriculture through this initiative.[7][8]

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, and the President of France François Hollande, jointly laid the foundation stone of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Headquarters and inaugurated the interim Secretariat of the ISA in National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gwalpahari, Gurgaon on 25 January 2016. Government of India has dedicated 5 acre land in NISE campus for the ISA Headquarters and also has contributed ₹1.75 billion (US$26 million) for ISA campus fund and also for meeting expenditure for initial five years.[9]

India has also launched a tool named IESS 2047 (India Energy Security Scenarios 2047 calculator) which aims to explore the potential of future energy scenarios for India.[10]

Objective

The focus is on solar power utilization. The launching of such an alliance in Paris also sends a strong signal to the global communities about the sincerity of the developing nations towards their concern about climate change and to switch to a low-carbon growth path. India has pledged a target of installing 100GW by 2022 and reduction in emission intensity by 33–35% by 2030 to let solar energy reach to the most unconnected villages and communities and also towards creating a clean planet.[11] India's pledge to the Paris summit offered to bring 40% of its electricity generation capacity (not actual production) from non-fossil sources (renewable, large hydro, and nuclear) by 2030.[12] it is based on world co operation.

Geographical importance

The area of Earth located in between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn is called the tropical (torrid) zone. The points on the Tropic of Cancer are the northernmost points up to which the Sun can pass directly overhead. Similarly, the southernmost points are on the Tropic of Capricorn which follow the same criteria. Location at the north of the Tropic of Cancer shows the Sun appearing at the south of the zenith.[13] The sunniest countries of the world are on the African continent, ranging from Kenya, east to Niger and north to Egypt.[14]

For India, the possible additional benefit from the alliance can be the strengthening ties and with the major African countries increase goodwill for India among them.[15][16]

Countries joined

107 countries from across the globe are part of the alliance and more are being asked to join it. The sunshine countries comprises all major countries that lie between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, including Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, India, Australia, New Zealand, China and other countries. A conclave started from 30 November 2015 for the sunshine grouping, christened as InSPA (International Agency for Solar Policy & Application).[17]

Future targets

India with support of France has invited more solar rich nations to facilitate infrastructure for implementation of solar projects. The alliance has been committed $1 tn as investment and it is committed to bringing down the costs of solar power to make it affordable for remote and inaccessible communities. The alliance will endorse India in achieving its 100GW of solar energy and to installing 175GW of renewable energy by 2022. The countries shall support each other in research and development and other high level activities.[18]

It is also seen as an alliance by the developing countries to form a united front and to undertake research and development for making solar power equipment within developing countries.[19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "India to Launch Alliance of 'Sunshine Nations' in Paris". in.sputniknews.com.
  2. ↑ PM Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande to launch game changing solar alliance, The Economic Times, 30 November 2015
  3. ↑ France, India to launch global solar alliance, Reuters, 29 November 2015
  4. ↑ "Narendra Modi's Speech at Wembley Stadium: As It Happened". WSJ Blogs – India Real Time. Retrieved 2015-11-18.
  5. ↑ "Reports: India to announce global solar power alliance". www.businessgreen.com. Retrieved 2015-11-18.
  6. ↑ Neslen, Arthur (4 December 2015). "India Unveils Global Solar Alliance of 120 Countries at Paris Climate Summit". AlterNet. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
  7. 1 2 "PM Modi calls for global alliance in promoting solar energy to tackle climate change: All you need to know : Current Affairs". indiatoday.intoday.in. Retrieved 2015-11-18.
  8. ↑ "Solar Alliance targets access to technology at climate change conference". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  9. ↑ "International Solar Alliance will be the First International and Inter-Governmental Organisation of 121 Countries to have Headquarters in India with United Nations as Strategic Partner". pib.nic.in.
  10. ↑ "NITI Aayog launches India Energy Security Scenarios 2047 – An Interactive Energy Platform". pib.nic.in.
  11. ↑ "107 'sunshine countries' could weld together ahead of Paris meet to give shape to PM's vision – The Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  12. ↑ Neslen, Arthur. "India unveils global solar alliance of 120 countries at Paris climate summit". the Guardian. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
  13. ↑ "What is the significance of the Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle? (Beginner) – Curious About Astronomy? Ask an Astronomer". curious.astro.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  14. ↑ "Which countries receive the most sunlight?". earth.rice.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  15. ↑ "Modi to launch solar alliance on first day of Paris climate summit". http://www.livemint.com/. Retrieved 2015-12-01. External link in |website= (help)
  16. ↑ "International Solar Alliance sign of India's leadership on global stage, say experts – Firstpost". Firstpost. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  17. ↑ "107 countries to join PM and his sunshine band in November – The Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  18. ↑ "107 'sunshine countries' may shape PM's vision". Live India. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  19. ↑ "Paris climate meet: India-led global solar alliance to counter developed nations". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 2015-12-01.

External links

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