‘Will cut carbon intensity by 20-25 p.c. of 2005 level by 2020’

India will be able to meet the target of cutting carbon intensity by 20 to 25 per cent of 2005 level by 2020 without affecting growth, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said on Saturday.

He called for balancing between economic growth and environment sustainability while planning roadmap for eight to nine per cent growth rate.

“We are convinced that we are one of the lowest emission intensity because service sector is the larger contributor of our GDP. We will reduce our carbon intensity by 20 to 25 per cent of the 2005 level by 2020,” he said at a summit co-organized by Wall Street Journal and CII.

The view of Mr. Ramesh came days after the government set up a committee to prepare a roadmap for lowering carbon intensity emissions in various sectors such as power, transport, coal and cement.

“The targets will be met. We will not fall short of targets,” he said.

He outlined the recent initiatives of the government in starting of solar energy mission as a step in this direction.

He said the growth strategy of the country should also consider the issue of environment. “We cannot go for growth ignoring ecology,” Mr. Ramesh said.

Despite differences on a number of issues, India and China are collaborating on the issue of climate change. Both the countries have agreed to collaborate on studying glaciers, he said.

Partnership with China on climate change is strategic, he said.