Mind your carbon footprints, give us space to grow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rich nations

PARIS: India on Monday asked the rich nations to mind their carbon footprints and provide space for the poor and developing countries to grow economically. The country also reminded the developed nations of their responsibilities to cut emission in big way and guarantee finance and technology to support developing countries.

"The prosperous still have a strong carbon footprint but the world's billions at the bottom of the development ladder are seeking space to grow," said India Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a gathering of world leaders on the opening day of the climate summit here.

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Referring to India, which needs economic growth to eradicate poverty and ensure energy access to millions of its citizens, PM Modi said, "Democratic India must grow rapidly to meet the aspirations of 1.25 billion people, 300 million of whom are without access to energy".

His remark assumes significance in view of depleting carbon space due to its overuse by the rich nation post-1850.

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It is scientifically estimated by the UN's IPCC that the world can emit only about 2900 billion tonne (giga tonne or Gt) of carbon dioxide from pre-industrialization level till 2100 to stay below 2 degree Celsius global warming. But the world has already emitted 1,900 Gt of carbon dioxide till 2011, leaving only 1000 Gt of carbon space for the developing countries who still need to grow and thereby need to emit.

After aggregating INDCs of all countries, it is estimated that the world will emit 748.2 Gt out of remaining 1,000 Gt of carbon dioxide by 2030. It means the aggregate INDCs will finish 75% of the carbon budget by 2030.

So, the aggregate INDCs will not leave enough carbon space for poor\developing countries to grow beyond 2030.

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In this context, the Prime Minister's demand for carbon space for poor and developing countries sounds quite logical when these countries have to eradicate poverty.

The Prime Minister said, "We hope advanced nations will assume ambitious targets and pursue them as they have the most room for impact".

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About India's expectation from the climate deal, he said, "The principles of equity & common but differentiated responsibilities must remain the bedrock of our collective enterprise... We look to the developed countries to mobilize 100 billion US Dollars annually by 2020 for mitigation and adaptation".

Closing his statement, he said, "We will succeed if we have the wisdom to craft a collective partnership that balances responsibilities and capabilities".

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