Ramesh denies shift in position on climate change

Minister for environment and forests, Jairam Ramesh who has come in for a lot of flak from the opposition over an alleged shift in his stance on climate change has denied a radical shift in the Indian position but said he favoured a more nuanced position.

Ramesh told the Hindustan Times that there was no question of India agreeing to emission cuts targets or junking the Kyoto Protocol. He said emission cut targets were required only for the developed world and not for developing nations.

Ramesh has however, suggested that India be open to commitments on greenhouse gas reduction provided developed countries agreed to extend funds to achieve it.

He said India would never agree to the elimination of the distinction b etween developed and developing countries as far as binding commitments on reducing greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions are concerned.

Ramesh has also reiterated his commitment to the UN Framework Con vention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in a written statement and the 2007 Bali Action Plan. He has however chosen to remain silent on the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol which India has been trying hard to save.

Though Ramesh has clarified his position and said he stood by the fundamental tenets of the Kyoto Protocol, he has not clarified his stance on the future of the protocol that puts the onus of reducing the emissions on the developed world.