Press release - May 29, 2009
BANGALORE, India — Greenpeace today welcomed the appointment of Dr.Farooq Abdullah, a prominent and experienced Member of Parliament and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. “The tone and promise of Dr Abdullah’s statement to the media while taking office, where he acknowledged that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) portfolio was a challenge and that he would take this challenge head on, shows that he understands the potential of his new office and the importance it has to future generations” said Vinuta Gopal, Climate and Energy campaigner, Greenpeace.
Students from Jalka village and Greenpeace demand nothing short of an Energy [R]evolution to ensure energy security, jobs to tens of thousands of people and combat climate change.
The choice of leadership for this ministry is a sure sign that
Dr.Manmohan Singh is serious about the potential of renewable
energy to propel India's economy and make India a global leader in
renewable energy technology business. This announcement comes 3
days before the start of the climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany,
and signals that India is preparing to have a strong voice in the
international negotiations.
Last week, Greenpeace volunteers dressed as windmills outside 10
Janpath demanded that the MNRE needed strong leadership. Greenpeace
expects Dr. Abdullah, having taken on this demanding role, to
ensure the development of the country through the Renewable Energy
pathway.
"The MNRE is one of the game changing ministries that will shape
our collective future and Dr. Abdullah has the opportunity to
transform it from its insginficant and moribund situation into a
powerhouse of opportunity. We at Greenpeace will play a supportive
role to Dr.Abdullah's leadership and look forward to work with him
to set ambitious targets", said Vinuta.
There is an urgency to the issue and I shall seek to meet Dr.
Abdullah at his earliest convenience to present to him the Energy
[R]evolution(1) blueprint" said Vinuta. "We urge Dr.Abdullah to
strongly recommend to the Prime Minister to `go to Copenhagen in
December for the UN negotiations on climate change, and also use
the next 6 months to prepare ground for the PM to announce a much
needed Renewable Energy law for India", she added.
According to various studies, including Greenpeace's report
Energy [R]evolution, Renewable energy can provide immediate
solutions for quality development in rural areas. It would involve
production, distribution and transmission of power in a
decentralized model where villages can be completely
self-sufficient with respect to electricity and energy. This would
not only provide millions who have no access to quality power
today, but would also provide them livelihood and income generation
opportunities.
For further information, contact
Vinuta Gopal, Climate and Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace India; +919845535418; 
Vasudha Mehta ; Greenpeace communications,+91 99589 80909; 
Notes to Editor
[1] The Energy [R]evolution - a sustainable global energy outlook, is a report developed by Greenpeace in conjunction with specialists from the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the Dutch Institute Ecofys and more than 40 scientists and engineers from universities, institutes and the renewable energy industry around the world. The report provides a practical blueprint for rapidly cutting energy-related CO2 emissions in order to help ensure that global greenhouse gas emissions peak no later then 2015 and rapidly decrease after that. This is achieved even while ensuring that India has access to the energy it needs to match its ambitious growth plans.
Copies of the Energy [R]evolution: A sustainable World Energy Outlook report can be downloaded from: http://www.greenpeace.org/india/press/reports/energy-revolution