Modi-Bill Gates meeting: Idea of a green gross domestic product discussed

PM Narendra Modi, at his widely-reported meeting with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, broached the idea of green gross domestic product parameters, saying that the tools currently used to quantify economic growth are bad for the climate.

Modi also said that climate action has picked up pace since the G20 Summit in India, held in September 2023.

When asked about making green solutions more affordable, Modi stressed on the importance of a dual strategy: promoting nature- and climate-friendly innovation, and encouraging environmentally conscious lifestyles. He underlined the need to shift the current perspective on progress, noting that traditional markers like steel consumption and energy use can lead to increased carbon emissions.

The Prime Minister spoke on necessity of re-evaluating how we define development and measure success, highlighting the importance of climate-friendly choices. "Our challenge lies in redefining progress in ways that benefit the climate," he said.

Gates, on his part, commended the initiatives taken by Modi's govt, particularly the "Mission Innovation" launched during the 2015 Paris climate conference. This initiative, involving 23 countries and the European Commission, aims to speed up the shift to clean energy and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and net zero emissions.

It may be noted that India is a key founding member of "Mission Innovation."

During a meeting, the prime minister, along with the former US and French presidents and Gates, thoroughly discussed their strategy. However, their efforts did not yield significant progress.