India, China in pact to co-operate on climate change action

India and China today signed a memorandum of agreement under which the two countries will cooperate on addressing climate change issues.

Minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh and Xie Zhenhua, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, China, signed the agreement in New Delhi today.

The Minister of State for Environment and Forests (Independent Charge), Shri Jairam Ramesh and the Vice Chairman Minister, National Development and Reform Commission of China, Mr. Xie Zhenhua, signing an MoU between India and China, at the inauguration of Indo - China Joint Workshop on National Actions Plans on Climate Change, in New Delhi today

"This agreement would strengthen the cooperative activities between China and India on mitigation, programmes, projects, technology development and demonstration relating to greenhouse gas emission reduction, including energy conservation efficiency, renewable energies, clean coal, methane recovery and utilisation, afforestation and sustainable management of forests and ecosystems, transportation and sustainable habitat," a Government of India release said.

The two sides have acknowledged thae gravity of the climate change issue and have emphasised that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol are the most appropriate framework for addressing climate change.

It also reaffirms the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, in particular that developed countries should take the lead, continue reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and provide financial resources, technology transfer and capacity building support to developing countries.

Accordingly, the two sides will establish an India-China partnership on combating climate change to strengthen their bilateral dialogue and practical cooperation on climate change. The two sides would hold ministerial consultations as mutually convenient between the two countries to deepen mutual understanding, strengthen coordination and enhance cooperation, and conduct regular exchange of views, including in the margins of various international occasions and meetings.