'India being watched for its contribution to climate change', says US envoy

U.S. Ambassador to India, Richard R. Verma, on Monday New Delhi is being watched closely by the world for its contribution towards climate change.

Verma, who was addressing a climate conference in the national capital, lauded India's commitment to phase down production and consumption of harmful Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs).

"I don't think it's an understatement to say the world is watching very closely what India will do. India's size, its economic growth projections and already significant greenhouse gas emissions means there is tremendous interest around the world again regarding what stance India will take," said Verma.

He added that the U.S. was interested in tackling climate change issues with India.

"We are interested in what India will do because as President Obama said when he was here in January, we are interested in being India's best partner. And we think this partnership doesn't just mean growing trade or defence ties but it also means engaging to discuss and tackle the toughest issues on the planet, issues like climate change," he added.

Recognising America's role as one of the top three contributors to carbon emissions into the atmosphere, the Obama administration was carrying out all possible measures to reduce those emissions, said Verma.

The Indian government has said it needs to emit more to industrialize and lift millions out of poverty.

India's emissions are around 1.9 tonnes per person - less than China, which emits around 7.2 tonnes per person and the 5 tonnes world average - but with a population of 1.2 billion people it is the third largest emitter and heavily reliant on thermal coal for its energy needs.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has in the past highlighted the dangers posed by climate change, he has also argued that the world must focus more on clean energy and less on outright emission cuts.

Last week, India proposed an amendment to the United Nations' Montreal Protocol, which calls on countries to phase out their use of HFCs, gases used in refrigerators, air conditioners and insulating foams that are a highly potent form of greenhouse gas emissions.