India criticises developed world on carbon emission issue

NEW DELHI: Criticising the developed world, India today said they did not fulfil their promise on the issue of transferring technology to the developing nations to meet carbon emission goals.

Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said developed nations were hesitant to vow for such a step in the discussions on climate change-related issues.

"The transfer of technology is most important issue. And developed countries took the responsibility under the Montreal Protocol, which has not yet happened under other discussions that we are having," she said while addressing the International Ozone Day celebrations here.

The minister also suggested the widely ratified Montreal Protocol dealing with the issue of Ozone layer depletion can serve as a model of global cooperation while addressing serious environmental concerns.

"And this is the most important issue where I feel that the Montreal Protocol can serve as a model of international cooperation while addressing other serious environmental challenges," she said.

She acknowledged the steps taken by the developed nations under Montreal Protocol including transfer of technologies and finance to the developing countries considering the fact that developed world was more responsible for the depletion of Ozone layer.

Natarajan's remarks came a day after she made it clear that India will press for the developed nations to agree to a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emission cut in the crucial Durban conference on climate change later this year.

India has proposed three items for the agenda of the Durban Conference of Parties -- equity, trade and technology related IPRs so that these issues can be addressed purposefully.