India will make sure that its development process is not compromised at the forthcoming negotiations on phasing down of harmful greenhouse gas hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) at Kigali in Rwanda next week, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said today.
"We will stick to (the deadline of) 2028-30 (for HFC phase down). They (western countries) are forcing us for 2024. We will look into that aspect when we sit on the dialogue table.
"At that time we will open the cards. We will make sure that development of India and that process is not compromised. We must get enough time before the phasing out period starts. We are very clear. Our present stand is for 2028-30," Dave told reporters.
The 28th Meeting of the Parties (MOP 28) to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer will be held from October 8 to 14 during which the negotiations on an HFC amendment will be discussed apart from other issues.
Dave had recently taken part in a round-table conference where various stakeholders and international experts across industry discussed the challenges faced by India in phasing down high global warming potential (GWP) HFCs.
"We had discussions with the Industry. All the parties have agreed. We were expecting suggestions from all stakeholders. They have given it. We will club them and make them India's view now," the minister had said.
He had earlier stated that India will seek an "equitable" agreement that is in the best interest of the nation at the crucial meet in Rwanda.
A key concern for India is the additional cost involved in migrating to greener technologies.
According to a recent research, the economy wide cost for transition for India between 2015 and 2050 would be 12 billion Euros for the Indian proposal and 34 billion Euros for the North American proposal.
R R Rashmi, additional secretary, Environment Ministry had earlier stressed the need for India to emphasise in Kigali that the commitment of donor countries has to be absolute and this assurance is necessary to fulfil any commitment India makes.
"A fine balance has to be achieved between national interests and environmental concerns," he had said.
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