Greens hail India's proactive approach in dealing with HFCs

NEW DELHI: Climate experts, environmentalists and industries not only welcomed the HFCs phase-down deal reached at Rwandan capital Kigali on Saturday but also lauded India for its exemplary role of showing much needed flexibility and leadership during the gruelling rounds of negotiations.

India had initially proposed a baseline of 2028-2030 and a freeze year of 2031. It had not even given any definite timeline for reducing HFCs' use. But at Kigali, India showed flexibility by proposing a four-year advancement of the baseline to 2024-2026 and 10% reduction by 2032. It also linked increase in its ambition with those of the developed countries.

"It is good to see proactive Indian negotiations on HFCs' phase down. It can make a big difference to the ambitious and equitable outcome on climate change," said Sunita Narain, and director general of the Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). She also noted that the agreement clearly reflects the principle of common but differentiated responsibility (CBDR) -where developed countries will have to take enhanced actions keeping in view their historical responsibility of using pollutants over the years.

"The agreement also reflects the emerging reality of a world in which China will have to take more and more responsibility to solve global environmental issues," Narain said. She was referring to the move to put China in a different category for phase down actions.

Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general of CSE, said, "The amendment finally agreed to not only protect India's economic interests, but also double the climate benefit compared to the previous Indian proposal."

Indian industry, too, welcomed the deal and India's position. Chandrajit Banerjee, DG, CII said, "India has again shown leadership just as it had in the Paris Climate Agreement. Government of India had closely consulted CII and its members prior to the negotiations in Kigali and it has full support from Indian industry."