By Greentech Lead
India: India will adopt a low carbon growth path in the 12th five year
plan to meet the national target of lowering the emission intensity of its
gross domestic product (GDP) by 20-25 per cent by 2020.
The 2011-12 economic survey has underlined the
importance of adopting climate friendly policies at the state level to lower
the overall carbon footprint so that a green cover can be put on the GDP
growth.
According to media reports,
the survey, for the first time, has a separate chapter on climate change
suggesting the road map for sustainable growth in the next five years.
As India promises to undertake voluntary emission-cuts, it called rich nations
to do their bit in fulfilling Kyoto commitments, remembering their legacy so
that India too has its share in the carbon space for economic growth and
poverty alleviation. The emission reduction achieved by Brazil, China, India
and Mexico in the last three decades is more than the reduction requirement of
rich nations.
The survey made it clear that under no circumstances,
would the government deviate from its objectives of social and economic
developments and poverty alleviation.
At the Durban climate change summit, India agreed for new global climate regime
post-2020 that may impose emission cut target for all major polluting nations
including India though its per capita emission would continue to be lower than
rich nations in the next 25 years.
The survey finds that India needs thousands of crores to
deal with the disastrous consequences of climate change as only a single state
like Odisha needs Rs 17,000 crore in five years to implement its climate change
action plans. India called the developed world to loosen their purse strings
for funds and technology from North to South for adaptation and mitigation.
New Delhi expects developed countries to reciprocate the flexibility shown in
Durban and remove non-tariff barriers like the controversial aviation tax
imposed by the European Union on all airlines, which hit the Indian carriers.
Finance from rich nations, global agencies and private carbon market will be
needed to sustain green development. The survey suggests India is open to
international monitoring of implementation of climate change projects.