Planning Commission setting up group on low-carbon economy

Planning Commission is constituting an expert group to recommend how India can move towards a low-carbon economy to combat climate change threats, environment minister Jairam Ramesh said here today.

The announcement is likely to be made tomorrow.

The group which is likely to be led jointly by eminent economists like Kirit Parikh and former UN under-secretary-general Nitin Desai, will prepare a detailed roadmap for a low-carbon growth strategy, without compromising on country's economic growth.

"Post-Copenhagen, our priority is to cut emission intensity by 20-25% by 2020 on 2005 levels, which is not only eminently feasible, but can also be improved upon for the benefit of our own people," Ramesh said on the sidelines of a function here.

"It will submit the report within next three or four months to be implemented in 12th five-year plan," the minister said.

However, he made it clear that these commitments were voluntarily, unilateral and non-legally binding.