Developing countries have no emission reduction obligations

NEW DELHI: India and other developing countries have no emission reduction obligations and will take appropriate mitigation actions on voluntary basis as supported and enabled by finance and technology provided by developed nations, the government said here.

"Voluntary actions of developing nations will be subject to international monitoring, report and verification (MRV) as per agreed procedures to the extent that these actions receive international support," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said in reply to a written query in Lok Sabha.

He made it clear that India's position on climate change negotiations is anchored in the principle of equity and "common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities" of parties as enshrined in the UN Framework of Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol.

"India and other developing nations have also consistently stated that the industrialized nations must fulfill their commitments under the Convention to provide resources to developed countries to enable them to take mitigation and adaptation actions to tackle climate change," Ramesh added.

The Minister noted that the "negotiations on these issues are underway and the parties are expected to reach an agreed outcome on the negotiations in Copenhagen," slated to begin from December 7.

-PTI