Over the years, on the global diplomatic front, India has steadfastly refused to call a spade a spade and behaved like a good boy which follows the rules even when the others aren’t and in fact, are bending the rules to use it to their advantage. In a welcome change, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar lambasted the USA, Europe and China over their carbon emissions.
Speaking at a panel organised at the Embassy of France to mark the Official Visit to India of Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Yves Le Drian, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar stressed that India won’t raise its climate ambition at the behest of developed nations as he stated that India has every right to develop.
Highlighting the carbon emissions of the developed world, Javadekar said, “Let me today give some context. Yes, we are suffering. We are seeing higher temperatures, unusual rain, hurricanes, frequency of such abnormal events has increased. But let us not forget that this is not a new phenomenon that has arisen in the past few decades. For 150 years this has been happening, because carbon emissions remain in the atmosphere for more than 150 years, so what we are suffering today was caused 150 years ago. The countries EU, US and in the last 30 to 40 years China, they emitted and therefore the world is suffering, India is suffering.”
He added, “In climate debate historic responsibility is a very important aspect. We cannot just forget and we will not allow anybody to forget it. The historical emissions responsibility today of is China 28%, USA 40%; Europe 10% and India is only 3%. We are not responsible for the climate change that is happening but India is a responsible nation. It will do the right thing to deal with climate change. Principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR, a principle under the Paris Agreement requires richer countries to lead and take historical responsibility for the emissions caused in the past by them.) is important. Yes, as we are facing a grave common threat we all will have to act but those who have polluted will have to act more.”
Hitting out at the developed countries who have not come through on financing and are also urging India to stop using coal, Javadekar hit back saying, “Where is the money? There is no money in sight. You have polluted, destroyed the world and brought climate change. And now you are saying don’t use coal. The alternative technology has to be much cheaper than coal only then people will do away with coal. India is not a major emitter. People say in sequence that we are the fourth largest emitter. How? Coal consumption of China is 4 billion tonnes this year. Ours is not even 1 billion tonne. How are we comparing apples with oranges?”
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India must not become the only major world power to be waging a lone battle against climate change, while its own economy is yet to fully blossom. We are a young country with an economy whose fullest extent has not yet been reached, let alone unleashed. Therefore, working in complete obedience to the Paris Climate Accord can prove to be detrimental to India, a G20 nation, and its economic interests. That does not mean we must abandon the Paris Agreement. What it means, however, is that India and the Modi government must be more balanced in its approach to tackling climate change while also ensuring that the same has no adverse impact on our bustling and upward-trajected economy.
It is encouraging to see India finally coming out of the “good-boy” syndrome.
Well said by Minister. New India under Modi jee .