India unable to accept any legally binding cut in greenhouse gas emissions: Ramesh

India and the United States have agreed to join hands to combat the
threat of climate change and its consequences and forge ahead in
energy efficiency and sustainable development. India has, however,
clarified that it is not in a position now to accept any legally
binding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton, who discussed climate change with Indian officials at
the ITC Green Building here on Sunday, said she hoped India and the
U.S. would be able to amplify the partnership.
Pointing out that both nations need to take up the responsibility of
clearing up greenhouse gas emissions, Ms. Clinton said: "The United
States does not and will not limit India's economic progress." India's
development was in everyone's interest. Fighting climate change was
both a challenge and an opportunity.Washington believed that there was
a way to eradicate poverty and develop in a sustainable way that would
help to lower the carbon footprint significantly. "We, along with
other developed countries, have contributed significantly to the
problem that we face with climate change. We are hoping that a great
country like India will not make the same mistakes." She expressed
confidence that both India and the U.S. would be successful in
devising a plan to change the way the two countries produced, consumed
and conserved energy.Following a roundtable with Indian officials,
including Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh,
she said the private sector could play a role in sustainable
development.Ms. Clinton, who was accompanied by U.S. special envoy on
climate change Todd Stern, said if all government buildings emulated
the ITC's Green Building, it would help to cut global emission and
save money.She described the building as a "monument," equating it
with such monuments as the India Gate and the Taj Mahal.India should
cut down on its emissions and focus attention on renewable sources of
energy. Between now and 2030, India's greenhouse gas emission was
projected to grow by 50 per cent, she said.Putting forth India's views
on climate change and emissions, Mr. Ramesh said the country's
position was clear, credible and consistent. He scoffed at the
perception that India was running away from mitigation.The government
was ensuring that the economic growth was ecologically sustainable —
the GDP was increasingly seen as Green Domestic Product and not just
Gross Domestic Product. India's comprehensive National Action Plan on
Climate Change was driven primarily by adaptation imperatives, but it
did not neglect what should be done for mitigation.
On India's stand against the Obama administration's proposals for
limits on carbon emissions, he said India was not in a position to
accept any legally binding reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions."India is very conscious of the local impacts of climate
change and will never allow its per capita emissions to exceed those
of the developed countries." Even with an 89 per cent increase in the
Gross Domestic Product every year for the next decade or two, India's
per capita emissions would be well below those of the developed
countries.The Minister also highlighted India's commitment to
combating global warming and cooperation for the success of the
Copenhagen summit in December. It is organised to find a successor to
the Kyoto Protocol that expires in 2012.

The Hindu, July 20