India Unveils Climate Target to Cut Carbon Intensity

mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi Oct 2, 2015: India has promised to make its economy more energy efficient and cut intensity of carbon emissions by 33-35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels, in a climate-change policy statement released ahead of a UN summit in Paris in December.

 

 

India, the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, also said it would target 40 per cent cumulative installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

India "intends to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level. This commitment is further echoed in India’s actions in climate change adaptation with setting up its own National Adaptation Fund," said the 38-page document, which was submitted to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change on Thursday.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar is today expected to unveil the document, called the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution which outlines the government’s action plan on combating climate change.

New Delhi has ruled out committing to absolute cuts in carbon emissions, in contrast to the United States, China and other big nations which have announced peak years for emissions.

Calling for a comprehensive and equitable climate change agreement at the Paris summit later this year, India on Thursday said that developing countries can do more if they are enabled in their efforts with the provision of finance, technology transfer and capacity building support from developed countries.

"As we prepare to meet in two months’ time in Paris, the world expects us to deliver an ambitious and credible agreement on climate change. We have a duty for common action but in doing, so we must keep in mind the larger historical contribution of some and the differentiated responsibility of others," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in her address to the annual debate of the UN General Assembly on Thursday.

A preliminary estimate suggests that at least $2.5 trillion will be required for meeting India’s climate change actions between now and 2030, it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Barack Obama and France and Britain’s leaders last month, and called for a climate change agenda that helps developing countries with access to finance and technology.

 

Courtesy:NDTV