Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday advocated a strong leadership role for India in solving the climate change crisis, through a global deal acceptable to the developed and developing countries.
“India can take a strong leadership role in finding a scientific and technological solution for a global deal on climate change. It is here that the seriousness of the issue, which would have grave consequences for the world has been understood,” Blair said at a forum to combat the crisis.
Admitting the problem was compounded by the western world due to its “emission-based” developmental model, he said it was time for all the countries to find a common solution.
Blair said efforts to cut emissions “must start with the developed world, as it was not fair to ask the developing world that as a result of climate change, countries like India and China cannot develop now. This is not correct and would not happen also”.
Arguing that developing economies like India and China cannot have the same obligations on climate change as those of the developed world, he called for a practical solution. “First, there should be substantial emission cuts for the developed world. Next, the developing countries should be provided with scientific and technological help, and also financial grants for development.” He stressed the need for a global body like the IMF and WTO to fight the challenge of climate change.
{{/usCountry}}Arguing that developing economies like India and China cannot have the same obligations on climate change as those of the developed world, he called for a practical solution. “First, there should be substantial emission cuts for the developed world. Next, the developing countries should be provided with scientific and technological help, and also financial grants for development.” He stressed the need for a global body like the IMF and WTO to fight the challenge of climate change.
{{/usCountry}}Blair appealed to the developing world to be a part of the substantive and transformative effort on the issue, saying, “we all have got obligations to meet on the issue and the best way is to have a common differential obligation, rather than looking to shift the blame on anyone”.