India will reject emissions targets

ABC News Online, 1 July 2009

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/01/2613212.htm?site=news

India will not sign up to targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, but will instead focus on fighting poverty and boosting economic growth, the country's environment minister says.

India is one of the world's biggest emitters alongside China, the US and Russia, and the second most populous nation.

But India's per capita emissions lag far behind rich countries and it feels the developed world should take the lead on tackling climate change.

"India cannot and will not take emission reduction targets because poverty eradication and social and economic development are first and overriding priorities," a statement on behalf of Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said.

A legally binding emission reduction target endangers India's energy conservation, food security and transport, he said.

Mr Ramesh said India would not allow its per capita greenhouse emissions to exceed that of developed countries, and said this amounted to a voluntary cap.

Mr Ramesh also said India would not accept a provision in a US Congress bill which would impose trade penalties on countries that failed to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

India has laid out its stance ahead of the negotiation of a climate treaty in Copenhagen in December that will replace the expiring Kyoto pact.

Developing nations say rich countries should cut emissions by at least 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.

Developed nations say that target is out of reach when they are trying to stimulate recession-hit economies.

India's ruling Congress party secured a convincing election victory in May and is pushing an inclusive growth agenda to help lift hundreds of millions out of poverty.

While it backs market-based measures to promote energy efficiency, India still relies on coal-fired generation to underpin the growing economy.

- Reuters