India for joint mechanism to check green house gas emission

Ahead of the UN summit on climate change at Copenhagen in December, India today asked the SAARC nations to develop a joint mechanism to mitigate the problems of green house gas emission.

Addressing SAARC Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) conference here, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh said that environment has trans-border implications and so the issue has to be dealt with in the same manner.

"India is ready to share its experiences with SAARC countries on the issue. We have taken credible action by creating carbon syncs and taking clean and green energy initiatives," he said quoting an international study that certified India as the best in implementing the mechanism.

The minister also asked the SAARC nations to stand united on the issue of CDM so that carbon emission could be reduced substantially in the South Asian region. Speaking on the occasion, SAARC Secretary General Sheel Kant said in the endeavour to reduce carbon footprints, CDM can contribute a lot.

"Though development cannot be compromised with, the SAARC countries have to look forward to explore clean regional energy resources like new and renewable energy," he said.

The development of CDM projects can bring about considerable benefits in terms of energy efficiency, employment generations, emission reduction and transfer of environmental-friendly technology, among others.