India unveils National Action Plan on Climate Change

NEW DELHI: India on Monday unveiled its climate change action plan which does not set target reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but seeks to promote sustainable development through use of clean technologies.

The National Action Plan on Climate Change categorically states that India's per capita greenhouse gas emissions will "at no point exceed that of developed countries."

The plan, unveiled by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here, will be implemented thorough eight missions which represent multi-pronged, long-term and integrated strategies for achieving key goals in the context of climate change.

The document underlines that "India will engage actively in multilateral negotiations in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner."

"Our objective will be to establish an effective, cooperative and equitable global approach based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and relative capabilities enshrined in the UNFCC," the plan document said.

It states that the success of its efforts would be enhanced if the developed nations fulfill their commitments under UNFCC to transfer additional financial resources and climate friendly technologies to the developing countries.

The eight missions focus on increasing share of solar energy in the total energy mix; implementation of energy efficiency measures; launching sustainable habitats; effective water resource management; safeguarding Himalyan glacier and mountain eco-system, enhance eco-system services; making agriculture more resilient to climate change and set up a Strategic Knowledge Mission for focussed research in the area.