Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday reiterated India’s commitment to keep its per capita emissions below those of the developed countries and asserted that the country was willing to do more, provided there were credible arrangements to provide additional financial support and technological transfers from the developed to developing countries.
In a statement before leaving for Copenhagen, Dr. Singh said India “as a responsible member” of the international community was committed to reducing the emission intensity by 20-25 per cent in 2020, compared to 2005. India had also launched a comprehensive Action Plan on Climate Change and eight National Missions were set up for the purpose.
Global warming
India was firmly of the view that global warming was taking place and “taking place here and now.” Its adverse consequences would have major impact on developing countries like India. As a responsible member of the international community, India was fully committed to working with the rest of the world to preserve and protect the environment. “This is our common heritage, and this is what we must bequeath to our succeeding generations,” he said.
But climate change cannot be addressed by perpetuating the poverty of developing countries. “Every citizen of the globe has equal entitlement of the global atmospheric space. It is in keeping with this principle that I announced in Heiligendamm in 2007 that we will maintain our per capita emissions at a level lower than the average per capita emissions of the developed countries,” said Dr. Singh.
The Prime Minister was looking forward to “constructive deliberations” in Copenhagen that could meet the world’s collective aspirations and enable it move forward in efforts to combat climate change.
