Just weeks after the United States and China declared their emission cut targets, India today announced that it would reduce its carbon emissions by 20-25 per cent by the year 2020. Jairam Ramesh, the Indian Environment Minister informed the Lok Sabha (India’s lower house of Parliament) that this would be achieved through policy changes including amendment to the Energy Conservation Act of 2001. He also talked about mandatory fuel efficiency standards for vehicles by 2011 and increasing investments in, and utilizing greener energy generation methods. Mr Ramesh hinted at doing more if the Copenhagen Summit achieves a “comprehensive and equitable agreement.”
India is currently the fifth largest polluter and its emissions are set to increase with further economic prosperity. However, its per capita emissions are approximately 1.2 tons as compared to the global average of around 4.2 tons. The Indian Minister has said that India will not accept any mandatory emission cut levels, but set a number that is feasible with growth. With the upcoming summit this might seem like an obstructionist stance with India not willing to do its bit to help combat climate change. It can also be read as an easy way out of committing to stricter standards at Copenhagen.
But domestic political pressures require that the Manmohan Singh government is not seen as giving in to US/Western pressure at the cost of India’s economic growth. Many in India believe that the developed countries are to be blamed for global warming, and they should therefore take responsibility for undoing the damage. But Mr Ramesh is inclined to ensuring that India fulfills its responsibilities since it will also be affected by climate change. In a leaked letter to the Prime Minister by Mr Ramesh, he suggests drastic changes in the Indian approach. He would like India to take a constructive stand to reach an equitable agreement which could be facilitated by today’s positive step.
