Expressing disappointment with the low level of ambition displayed by developed nations to tackle climate change, India has said a lasting deal at the climate summit this year will not be achieved by passing the burden of action onto the shoulders of developing countries.
Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Bhagwant Bishnoi said India's "very ambitious" Intended Nationally Determined Contribution to tackle climate change in the post- 2020 period is in line with "our firm belief that while we were not a part of the problem, we want to be a part of the solution."
He, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the ambitions announced by developed countries, saying they cannot undermine the core principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.
"Our overall success in Paris will depend however on equally good-faith efforts by all parties. We are so far not very enthused by the low level of ambition on display by developed countries," he said at a 2nd Committee meeting of the General Assembly, referring to the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Climate Change in Paris in December.
He said if this problem is to be decisively tackled, developed countries will have to take the visible lead by undertaking substantive and ambitious mitigation actions in line with their historical responsibility and greater capacity to act.
"They will have to demonstrably move their societies onto a path of sustainable consumption and lifestyles. A lasting agreement will not be achieved by passing the burden of action onto the shoulders of developing countries, nor by undermining the core principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities," he said yesterday.
India has said it would reduce carbon emissions relative to its GDP by 33 per cent to 35 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. It also pledged that 40 per cent of the country's electricity would come from non-fossil fuel-based sources, such as wind and solar power, by 2030.
Bishnoi said with the world leaders adopting an ambitious post 2015-development agenda, there is a "path-breaking template of action" to guide efforts to ending poverty and hunger within a generation.
