As the world prepares for the UN climate change conference in Paris next month, India accused developed nations of stifling the voices of the developing countries.
“The voices and interests of a vast majority of developing countries are being stifled if not ignored,” India’s delegate SP Muddahanumegowda told a UN committee dealing with economic and financial matters on Monday. “This does not augur well. The path to climate ambition must be paved with equity.” “livelihoods in the developing South cannot be compromised for sake of preserving lifestyles in the North,” he said.
The climate change crisis was the result of “choices that were made by many, mostly developed, countries in their race for unsustainable development - choices that have led to climate change and wrecked the environment,” he said. “The burden of sustainability therefore cannot be placed on the poor.”
“We were not part of the problem, but we have every intention to be part of the solution,” he declared.