The recent Indian submission of its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) shows a clear divide between the developed and the developing world as a result of which the upcoming Paris pact on climate change would be a bad deal for Americans, a top US lawmaker has said.
"India's plan makes clear there is a continued divide between developed and developing countries when it comes to making climate commitments," said Senator Jim Inhofe, chairman of the powerful Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Inhofe said that India is looking to countries such as the US to help cover the estimated USD2.5 trillion cost - required to implement its pledge to improve emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35 per cent by 2030 - over the next 15 years.
"This is further indication that the upcoming Paris agreement is a bad deal for the American people: India stands to inherit millions of taxpayer dollars, China stands to inherit jobs and investment shipped overseas due to the president's carbon mandates, and both countries will continue to increase their emissions through 2030," Inhofe said in a statement.
In its INDC, India has also pledged to increase the share of non-fossil fuels-based electricity to 40 per cent by 2030 while agreeing to enhance its forest cover.
The INDCs - submitted by countries across the globe to the UN climate body UNFCCC - are meant to be the first step in a longer-term virtuous cycle of trust building, leading to ever higher pledges to combat climate change.
In July, Inhofe led 10 American Senators in requesting President Barack Obama's response on how the US plans to meet the pledge of 26-28 per cent emissions cut by 2025.
Senators still await the President's response, he said.
