India Unlikely To
Agree to Kyoto Emission Caps
November 18, 2005 — By Sugita Katyal, Reuters
NEW DELHI — India is unlikely to
agree to any emission caps in the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol
because of its expanding energy-hungry economy, but analysts say
developed nations will continue to pile pressure on the nation.
Asia's third-largest economy and home to about a sixth of humanity has
some of the most polluted cities in the world, many of them continually
shrouded in eye-stinging smog of noxious fumes from cars and industry.
Its growing energy needs are only expected to increase along with
pollution levels in the next few decades, despite growing fears that
global warming will spare no one.
The Kyoto climate change pact requires developed nations to cut their
emissions of heat-trapping gases by 5.2 percent from 1990 levels by
2008-2012. The United States and Australia refused to ratify the pact
and developing nations, such as China and India are exempt from
emissions caps all four countries say threaten economic growth.
China's appetite for oil and coal is even greater than India's. Both are
likely to come under pressure to do more to curb emissions growth when
they join officials from 150 countries in Montreal for a U.N. climate
change summit.
The Montreal meeting from November 28 will help shape the Kyoto Protocol
after its first phase ends in 2012, but disagreement is rife and hopes
of progress slim.
"There is no way that anybody can expect countries like India to cap
their emissions for the next 20-25 years," said S.K. Joshi, a senior
official in the environment ministry.
"We welcome the talks among the parties for the second commitment period
strictly in accordance with the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. The
issue of entitlements has to be addressed and the countries that have
agreed to take on commitments under the protocol have to show
demonstrable progress."
Many scientists blame the rapid increase in greenhouse gas emissions,
especially carbon dioxide, over the past century for causing global
warming, the worst effects of which could include rising seas, greater
extremes of drought and flood and more intense storms.
GROWING FAST
While India's cities might be hugely polluted because of the furious
pace of industrialisation, the country's per capita emissions were still
relatively low at 0.25 tonnes of carbon in 2001, which is less than a
quarter of the world average and many times less than the United States.
At the same time, India's contribution to world carbon emissions is
expected to grow at an average 3 percent a year until 2025, compared
with 1.5 percent in the United States, because of ambitious expansion
plans in the energy sector.
According to industry estimates, India's oil consumption is expected to
grow to 2.8 million barrels per day by 2010 from 2.65 million barrels
per day in 2004.
In an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions by developing energy
technology, India became one of six countries -- along with the United
States, China, Australia, India and South Korea -- to form the
Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate in July.
"By joining the partnership we have not compromised our position in any
manner. This is complementing the Kyoto Protocol. This is one more
approach, an alternative approach to the whole process of addressing the
climate change issue," Joshi said.
Environmentalists say India should not agree to any binding commitments
after 2012.
"Kyoto is too little and too late. Nobody can say it's an effective
mechanism to control climate change," said Sunita Narain, head of the
Centre for Science and Environment, a leading environmental NGO.
"There have been no major structural changes to combat climate change in
the North. The use of fossil fuels continues. And pressure will continue
to grow on India and China to take on commitments."
Source: Reuters
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