India flays developed world over emission targets

In severe criticism of the developed countries for not meeting the emission targets, India has said that not even 2 per cent of the promised amount of $ 1 trillion for climate change programme has come through.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar delivered India's statement at the 25th session of Conference of Parties under the UN framework convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC COP25), in Madrid, Spain on Tuesday.

The Environment Minister said the developed world promised $ 1 trillion in the last 10 years, but not even 2 per cent has materialized. He said it has to be public finance and there should be no double accounting. "The world that benefited from carbon emissions that made them developed, must repay", Javadekar said.

India has proposed more joint research and collaboration and availability of finance for meeting the targets.

Technology development and transfer at affordable costs is crucial for developing countries, Javadekar said. "If we are dealing with a disaster, nobody should profit from it", he added.

India has questioned the developed countries for not meeting the commitments in reducing emissions. "Has developed world delivered on its promises? Unfortunately, annexed countries have not met their Kyoto Protocol targets. Neither do their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) reflect ambitions nor have they shown willingness to enhance their commitments", the Environment Minister said.

He said only six countries are on track to meet their NDCs announced in Paris. "We are leading the pack. Sustainable lifestyle is a part of the ethos of India", he added.

Recounting India's achievements, Javadekar said that India has reduced emissions intensity and is on track to achieve the goal of 35% emissions reduction as promised in Paris.

India has taken up a target for restoration of 26 million of degraded land by 2030 during the 14th COP of UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Delhi. This is one of the largest programmes in the world to ensure carbon sink in land resources, Javadekar said.IANS