New Delhi, The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to support its 'Majhi Vasundhara' campaign, an initiative with regard to the energy and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

"The beginning of a new partnership between UN Environment Programme and the Government of Maharashtra will support the state in the implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures," said a statement from UN office on Saturday.

The MoU was signed on Friday.

'Majhi Vasundhara' (literally, My Earth) is an initiative of the Government of Maharashtra's Environment and Climate Change Department to empower citizens with knowledge on the impacts of climate change and environmental issues and to encourage them to make a conscious effort towards improvement of the environment.

Speaking for the government of Maharashtra, Cabinet Minister of Tourism, Environment and Protocol, Aditya Thackeray said: "We should start to consider all possible avenues to get to Net Zero at the earliest. Over the next few months, Maharashtra will evaluate the investment prospects that will be required to steer Maharashtra's economy towards net zero. We have an imperative to act now."

UNEP will support the state in educating and mobilising youth on plastic pollution and marine litter through UNEP's Tide Turner Challenge across all educational institutes in the state of Maharashtra. Under the partnership, UNEP will support the Maharashtra government on various clean energy initiatives and in its efforts to develop a strategy for carbon neutral development in line with the Government of India's vision.

"The time is right for Maharashtra to lead the drive in a clean energy transition with its recent renewable energy policy being an important step."

This can pave the way for industry to make this shift, alongside the financing opportunities that are coming in tandem. Clean energy, and sustainability as a whole, is growing as an opportunity for industry. "There is a global trend in which frontrunners are occupying a niche in different markets, not just in the energy sector, but in sectors such as transport, agriculture, electronics, chemicals, buildings and construction, textiles, to those taking advantage of what a circular plastics economy can offer. Maharashtra is well placed to take advantage of this transition," said Director, Economy Division, UNEP, Sheila Aggarwal-Khan.

"In this Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we are pleased to see this collaboration between UN Environment Programme as a member of the UN Country Team in India and the Government of Maharashtra, which will help inculcate climate consciousness and green values across communities and especially the youth. This is an important step to enhance sustainable interaction between people and their environment, aligning respect for the Earth with prosperity," Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, said.

The UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.