Global warming - India to mobilise developed nations

Outgoing environment minister A Raja says India was among the lowest polluters with emission levels of four per cent, reports Anand.

Outgoing environment minister A Raja has said India was among the lowest polluters with emission levels of four per cent. Blaming the developed countries for being major contributors to global warming, he said India was mobilising the developing nations to protest against the high emissions levels of the USA-led affluent countries.

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Replying to a debate on global warming in Lok Sabha in his last appearance as environment minister, Raja said, "a war is on between developed and developing nations on global warming. We are mobilising all developing countries to voice our concern on high industrial emission levels of developed countries." He has since been shifted to Information Technology and Telecom Ministry.

"We are the lowest polluters. According to Kyoto Protocol, we are safe and cannot make any commitment on further reducing emission levels," Raja said. But he clarified that despite this, the government has taken various steps to control emission levels. These include adopting new technologies in the power sector including switching over from thermal to hydel power. “Despite the fact that India is not a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, yet developing countries are joining hands with us to convince nations such as UK, USA and Australia of their contribution in global warming.