Outcome of COP 25 talks balanced, says Javadekar

Vibha Sharma

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 20

Terming as “balanced” the outcome of the recently concluded Conference of Parties (COP 25) at Madrid, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said “no decision was taken (at the climate talks meeting) which was not in India’s interests”.

Outlining India’s efforts towards targets under the Paris Agreement of 2015, Javadekar said the country had already achieved a reduction of 21 per cent in its carbon emission intensity and increased its forest cover.

It has increased the target for renewables from 175 Giga Watts to 450 Giga Watts.

India has pledged a 33-35 per cent of reduction in “emissions intensity” of its economy by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.

The minister said India’s efforts to conserve environment was appreciated by all countries, placing it among the “top five performers in World in this aspect”.

“India engaged constructively in the negotiations while protecting India’s key interests, including consideration of principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC); need for enhanced means of implementation, including climate finance, technology transfer at affordable costs and capacity-building support, from developed to developing countries in accordance with their obligations under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement,” Javadekar said.

Experts and activists have termed the high-level UN conference a “complete washout and flop” in terms of outcome and results. It was a “compromise” deal where nations failed, rather refused to arrive at any “positive outcomes”, including rules to set up the crucial global carbon trading system and channel new finance to countries facing the impacts, they said.

Javadekar said with the exception of climate finance issues, India considered that the outcome of COP 25 was a “balanced outcome which addresses concerns of all parties, especially the developing countries and provides the necessary building blocks for successful implementation of the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement”.