The US has welcomed India’s recent proposal for phasing down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) saying it will build critical momentum for a successful outcome in Paris for the climate negotiations in December.
“We welcome India’s recent proposal for the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs, very potent greenhouse gases currently used in a number of different applications, including air conditioning. As our top climate official Todd Stern said, “It will build critical momentum for a successful outcome in Paris for the climate negotiations in December, and complement what is expected to be an agreement where all countries participate by pledging to attack climate pollutants at their own pace’,” said US ambassador to India, Richard Verma. He was speaking at the launch of “Climate Partners” programme by the US High Commission and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) aimed to highlight the economic opportunities associated with climate action.
And as US builds up momentum for the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December where a new global climate agreement is expected to be reached, the envoy clarified that there was no divide with India on the issue of climate change and the US would like to work with India as its “best partner”.
This new climate agreement will be based on contributions that each country will determine for themselves. In January during US President Barack Obama’s visit to New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified that India will not come under pressure of the international community in this regard.
“We’re interested in what India will do because, as President Obama said when he was here in January, we’re interested in being India’s “best partner.” And we think this partnership doesn’t just mean growing trade or defense ties, but it also means engaging to discuss and tackle the toughest issues on the planet. Issues like climate change. So in addition to our traditional areas of cooperation, we’re working closely with India to find ways to promote the transition to a low carbon, clean energy future,” Verma said.
While mentioning the Indo- US partnership on clean and renewable energy, Verma talked about opportunities for Indian businesses to lead the way in climate change saying the innovations done here to become smarter, cleaner, productive and more profitable, will be attractive to a global community.