New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Ahead of the global climate talks in Copenhagen, Indian MPs Thursday urged the government not to compromise on development issues and commit to only what is practicable.
The Lok Sabha held a special discussion on the issue. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh is likely to spell out various steps that the government is taking to tackle climate change.

Indian officials have calculated that the country will reduce its carbon intensity by 24 percent by 2020, compared to 2005, if the effects of its National Action Plan on Climate Change are quantified. India is the world’s fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

India is under pressure from the US and China to do so after the two countries quantified their targets on carbon emissions. China has announced to cut its carbon intensity in the range of 40 to 45 percent, while the US has pledged to reduce emissions by 17 percent.

Speaking during the debate in the Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi said India should lead poor nations for a development model.

He said the Western model of development and lifestyle needed to be changed to save mother earth.

“Earth is our mother. Ask the Western developed world to change their lifestyle,” Joshi told Jairam Ramesh in the house.

He said he would be happy if Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attends the Dec 7-18 Copenhagen meet and “sends out a message to the world that India will lead the poor developing nations in saving the earth. We should not compromise”.

Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit, while expressing concern at the hazards India is suffering due to climate change, said the government should only commit what can be done and achieved.

“Commit to what is possible. Be balanced. Don’t commit what cannot be done,” Dikshit said.

Mangi Lal Mandal of the Janata Dal-United said India’s problem is its poverty, but “we are being told to accept what is suitable to the developed Europe and America”.

“It is learnt that India will commit to huge GHG emission cut and ask for new and renewable energy technology. Are they (Western countries) trying to make us a market of their technology in the name of climate change hazards,” Mandal said.