India's role in convincing the BASIC countries to accept the draft proposals in the final stage of negotiations and its five insertions in the draft texts, which was a precursor to the Cancun agreements, has been appreciated by Mexico.
The president of the Conference of Parties (COP) Patricia Espinosa on Friday had a special word of praise for India. Speaking to The Hindu Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said India's position in global environmental diplomacy has been redefined. “We were responsible for the Nagoya Protocol and we are substantially responsible for the Cancun outcome.”This is a part of repositioning India in world diplomacy and shared vision the Prime Minister has been talking about, he explained. It was also an exercise in India's responsibility and responsiveness as a global player, he remarked.
Reacting to the criticism he is facing at home for his recent remarks, Mr. Ramesh said people should realise the huge amount of goodwill created for the country. “ Duniya me tali aur desh mein gaali [Praise in the world and abuses in India],” he quipped.
However, to questions that he had appeased the United States, he said it was the largest cumulative emitter of greenhouse gases and no global deal would work without having it on board.
There were divisions in the BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) countries, with both Brazil and South Africa supporting a treaty with binding emissions cuts. Earlier this week, Mr. Ramesh at the plenary had said all countries must take on binding commitments under appropriate legal form..
Now there are no reservations among the BASIC countries, he said.
The agreements have five insertions which are at India's behest. In the section on shared vision, the figure of 50 per cent has been dropped from identifying a global goal for substantially reducing emissions by 2050. Secondly, the phrase access to sustainable development has been introduced in the context of working towards identifying a time-frame for global peaking of greenhouse gas emission based on the best available scientific knowledge.
Mr. Ramesh's pet proposal, the International Consultation and Analysis (ICA), finds mention in the agreements. It proposes to enhance reporting for the non-Annex 1 parties or developing countries on mitigation action and its effects and support received.
It is also proposed to establish a technology mechanism to facilitate national and international cooperative action on the development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies in developing countries to support actions on mitigation and adaptation.
