Ramesh chokes on emissions

Dec 11, 2010 |

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New Delhi, Dec. 10: The environment minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh, has been attacked from all sides for what is being seen as a change in India’s position on binding emission cuts.

Speaking at the high-level segment of the annual UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference in Cancun, Mexico, on Wednesday, Mr Ramesh said that all countries must make binding commitments under appropriate legal form to control their emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), mainly carbon dioxide.

Green groups have termed Mr Ramesh’s remarks as “unfortunate” and a “complete capitulation” to the US position.

Even his own party colleague and former Union minister, Mr Saifuddin Soz, attacked Mr Ramesh, saying it was a “wrong” thing to do. Responding to the criticism, Mr Ramesh said, “What I have said does not contradict our position. We do not intend to make our domestic actions on climate change legally binding in nature.”

This has cut no ice with environmental groups. Ms Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment said Mr Ramesh has shifted India’s position.

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