Indian negotiators confused by Ramesh's emission cut statement

Negotiators from India at Copenhagen are concerned over Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's statement in the parliament that India would reduce its emission intensity by 20-25 percent by 2020

Negotiators from India at Copenhagen are concerned over Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's statement in the parliament that India would reduce its emission intensity by 20-25 percent by 2020 from the 2005 level, said former Planning Commission member Surya P. Sethi.

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"Since yesterday I have been getting calls from the negotiators wondering at the context of the environment minister's statement. They are wondering what to do now," said Sethi, who was principal advisor for power and energy in the commission.

"Thursday's statement appears to be a pledge review statement which is what the US and Australian proposals are pushing for," he added.

Sethi said that instead of taking into account the progress India has made in cutting emission intensity and cutting carbon emission till 2005, India's declared target of 20-25 percent reduction by 2020 based on the 2005 figure could compromise India's stand that there should be equitable burden sharing on the climate change issue.

"There is no doubt that we need to be a much more efficient economy, but it needs to be clarified whether it will be at the stake of inclusive growth of two thirds of the population who do not have access to electricity still," he added.