No developed-developing countries divide on climate change: US

New Delhi, April 20

Ahead of the UN climate talks in Paris later this year, the US today said there is no divide between developed and developing nations on the issue of climate change and emphasised the need to work together to confront challenges of global warming.

The UN climate conference, to be held in Paris from November 30 to December 11 of this year, is tasked with finalising a global agreement designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions. India is pro-actively engaging with the world to arrive at a fair and equitable climate agreement.

Stating that the US understands the kind of leadership that India wants it to play in climate talks, US Ambassador to India Richard R Verma said: “I think we are moving out and we need to move out of early 1990s world, which was divided into two camps. We are not in two camps anymore.”

“If we all have to be in the same camp moving forward together again taking into account our national circumstances, we really do that,” he said after launching the “Climate Partners” programme aimed at highlighting the economic opportunities associated with climate action.

The “Climate Partners” initiative will call on prominent US business and government leaders to share their experiences and successes in reducing emissions through series of in-person events with their counterparts in other countries.

Asserting that the US is keen to have a “real partnership” with India on climate change action, Verma said, “India is working hard on its proposed intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs), and we are very much look forward to seeing it when it is ready.”

The US already submitted its INDCs on March 31 and has made commitment to reduce emissions by 28 per cent by 2025.

Asked why the US’ INDC was silent on technology transfer and financing issues, Verma said the US is keen to share clean technologies with Indian companies and is addressing impediments for transfer of the same.

“We want to share our best technologies and practices with Indian companies. It is some of these impediments that we need to address to work on... intellectual property has also been a big issue, which overhangs the US companies to transfer technologies. We are working on these issues.”               Noting that adaption is important to address the impact of climate change, he said that the US has already contributed $3 billion to the development of the climate fund.

In addition to traditional areas, the US is working closely with India to find ways to promote transition to a low carbon clean energy future.

In February, the US Embassy and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched the India Clean Energy Finance Forum and the US-India Task Force on Clean Energy Finance. — PTI