Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav has stressed the need for collective action to save the planet from the challenges of climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity. Mr Yadav said this while virtually addressing the Plenary Session at G7 Ministers' Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo, Japan. He said, the 6th Assessment Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change re-emphasises that development is our first defence against climate change.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The Minister said, the report reinforces the scientific view that CO2 is the primary greenhouse gas that needs to be drastically reduced to achieve the global temperature goal as agreed in the Paris Agreement. Mr Yadav said, the global goal of reaching net zero by 2050 requires enhanced descaling of emissions by the developed countries. He said this will provide space for countries like India to achieve the development required for its people, which will provide necessary defence against the impacts of climate change, environmental degradation and pollution.<b> </b></span><br />