By Ashok Dixit

Copenhagen, Dec.18 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said for a developing country like India the success of negotiations related to climate change was of high significance, as it was one of those countries of the world that might be intensely affected by the climate change.

“India has a vital stake in the success of the climate negotiations, as it is one of those countries most likely to be severely impacted by climate change,” said Dr. Manmohan Singh at the informal plenary of Heads of State at the 15th Conference of the Parties (CoP) at Copenhagen.

On the Kyoto Protocol, Dr. Singh said: “Kyoto Protocol should deliver on the sovereign commitment under this protocol …It would go against international public opinion if we succumb in its replacement by and a new set of commitments…finally it is clear that any agreement on climate change should respect the need for growth and development in developing countries…Equitable and burden sharing should be underlined in any effective global climate regime,” said Dr. Manmohan Singh

Mentioning about the Government of India’s initiatives over climate change, Dr. Singh said: “We have therefore adopted and started to implement a major National Action Plan on Climate Change, relying upon our own resources. Our targets include installation of 20,000 MW (mega watt) of solar energy capacity by 2022, improving energy efficiency by 20% by 2020 and adding an additional 6 million hectares of forests over the next several years.”

Dr. Singh looked his emphatic best when he stated: “Each one of us gathered here today acknowledges that those worst affected by climate change are the least responsible for it. Whatever emerges from our negotiations must address this glaring injustice, injustice to countries of Africa, injustice to the Least Developed Countries, and injustice to the Small Developing States whose very survival as viable nation states is in jeopardy.”

“We in India, too, are vulnerable, but nevertheless as responsible citizens of the globe, we have agreed to take on a voluntary target of reducing the emission intensity of our GDP growth by around 20% by 2020 in comparison to 2005,” said Dr. Singh.

“We will deliver on this goal regardless of the outcome of this Conference. We can do even more if a supportive global climate change regime is put in place,” Dr. Singh declared.

Drawing attention of all nations that the road ahead may not offer a smooth ride, Dr. Singh said: “We have a difficult task ahead of us. I hope we will all play a positive and constructive role so that we can bridge differences and come up with a balanced and also an equitable outcome during the coming year. India will not be found wanting in this regard.”

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) is taking place at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark from December 7 to 18.

The conference included the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 5th Meeting of the Parties (COP/MOP 5) to the Kyoto Protocol. (ANI)