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ShareNew Delhi: India today made it clear that at no circumstance it will accept the legally binding emission cut, which is the responsibility of the developed countries including the United States.
"India at no circumstance will accept the legally binding emission cut," environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh said in the Rajya Sabha, while replying to a Calling Attention on 'Government's changing position on climate change'.
He sought to allay fears of the Opposition that India could give concessions to developed countries in the Copenhagen summit and said developing countries, including India, have no obligation to reduce green house gas emissions.
Ramesh said he has initiated a debate on various issues so that India negotiates from a position of strength and that it should not be defensive.
Referring to the need for a domestic law, the minister said Parliament should ensure the accountability. But there should be a law on climate change on the pattern of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, he noted.
He said the government is considering bringing a law to make sure there is a nationally accountable mitigation outcome. "If you do not have such a law in the country, how can you argue that polluters must pay," he said.
Rejecting opposition charges, he said, "I have not deviated from the stated position of the country... But my point is that India should not be isolated like Brazil, South Korea and Indonesia that have already announced cut in emission reduction."
Referring to India signing a partnership agreement with China on climate change, he asked, "If I am an American stooge, why shall I do it."
Dismissing members' charge of lack of coherence in the government's thinking before the Copenhagen summit, Ramesh assured the House that there was no such fear.
"As per the principles of equity and common, but differentiated, responsibilities and respective capabilities of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), developing countries including India have no obligation to reduce green house gas emissions," he said.
Ramesh said the UNFCCC recognises that the economic and social development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities of the developing counties. "In course of meeting the developmental needs, the emissions of developing countries are bound to rise," he added.
Noting that India's position on the on-going climate change agreement negotiations is "clear, credible and consistent", he said the country's approach to these negotiations is fully anchored in UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol.
"India has argued in the international negotiating fora that developed country parties must take actions in accordance with the principles of equity and common, but differentiated, responsibilities and respective capabilities in order to achieve the objectives of the convention," he said.
Ramesh said India was alive to its global responsibilities as well and the pime mnister has already stated that India will never allow its per capita emissions to exceed that of the developed countries.
He assured the House that India will continue to play a positive role in the international negotiations at Copenhagen "without compromising on our national endeavour of social and economic development and eradication of poverty..."
