Developing countries are not enemies of environment: Modi

NEW DELHI: Amid growing concerns among developing countries against the rich nations’ mitigation-centric approach to arrive at a global climate deal, India on Tuesday lodged its strong objections to such an idea and said the Paris climate conference can be a success only if developed nations “do not indulge in a blame game” with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi even emphasizing that the world needs to be convinced that the “developing countries are not enemies of environment”.

India’s view was articulated by the country’s environment minister Prakash Javadekar here during the concluding day of the meeting of the representatives of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) including China.

Modi later endorsed these points during his interaction with delegates from the LMDC and emphasized on the need for the developed world to fulfill its commitments with regard to “sharing clean technology” and providing “financial assistance” to help the developing world combat climate change, while simultaneously meeting its legitimate development aspirations.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the world, which is now well aware of the challenge of climate change, also needs to be made aware about the principle of climate justice.

He said there is a need to counter the atmosphere being created by certain groups, that development and growth are enemies of the environment - and all those who pursue development and growth are therefore guilty.

While the developed countries should have targets for emission cuts, developing countries should work on targets of encouragement, such as initiatives towards renewable energy and green buildings, said the Prime Minister.

Taking a common stand during the two-day meet, the representatives of the LMDC demanded that upcoming Paris climate conference (COP21) should not be “mitigation-centric” but must address the issue in a “balanced and comprehensive” manner, treating all key elements equally.

Negotiators from 12 nations participated in the meeting of LMDC, held for the first time in India. The LMDC include China, Bolivia, Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Iran, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Malaysia, Vietnam, Argentina and Saudi Arabia.

The meeting was convened to take stock of the climate change negotiations under the UNFCCC and provide a perspective of the LMDC on the way forward for the Paris agreement.