Mridul Chadha, 2 July 2009, redgreenandblue.org

India has always maintained that it will not agree to any demands in mandatory emission reduction, or targets for the same. The statements are strengthened by a recent World Bank report, which says that India could jeopardise its fight against poverty if it agrees to emissions reductions and increase economic burden on people.

Although this is not the first time that India has opposed any international emission targets, it is the first time the Minister of Environment and Forests has issued such a direct and aggressive statement on the matter.

India currently generates less than 10 percent of its energy from (non-hydro) renewable energy, and while it has plans for the massive expansion of solar energy and energy efficiency projects, it lacks the financial resources to implement those plans. In such a situation, it is very likely that India will call for extra financial help from developing countries at the Copenhagen climate talks. So far however, no developed country has directly pledged money for the Adaptation fund discussed at the Bali climate conference, although Britain has only recently suggested that all countries provide a $ 100 billion fund each year up until 2020, for adaptation and mitigation.

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