Will raise climate ambition, but not under pressure: Govt

.... we all will have to act but those who have polluted will have to act more PRAKASH JAVADEKAR,

NEW DELHI: India will attempt to keep its climate commitments but will not act at the behest or under pressure from developed countries, Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday, underscoring the country’s prerogative to balance development goals with obligations on climate change.

Javadekar was speaking at an event organised at the Embassy of France to mark French minister Jean-Yves Le Drian’s visit to India. The environment minister reiterated that India will “over achieve” its commitments, a government spokesperson later said in a clarification to his remarks.

Le Drian, in his address, said countries must stop building new coal-based power plants and progressively move towards achieving carbon neutrality. Javadekar, who spoke after Le

Drian’s address, underlined that historic responsibility is a very important aspect. “We cannot just forget, and we will not allow anybody to forget it. The historical emissions responsibility today is of China 28%, USA 40%; Europe 10% and India is only 3%. We are not responsible for the climate change that is happening.”

He added India is a responsible nation and will do the right thing to deal with climate change. “Yes, as we are facing a grave common threat, we all will have to act but those who have polluted will have to act more,” he said.