Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said the Conference of Parties (CoP 21) Paris climate agreement signed by 196 countries acknowledges and recognises the development imperatives of India and other developing countries. Further, the accord also supported their right to development and their efforts to harmonise development with environment, while protecting the interests of the most vulnerable, he maintained.
Speaking to media persons, he said that unlike in previous CoP meetings, this time India proposed and did not oppose besides, suggesting new ideas during the conference.
While India has held constructive meetings with nearly 20 countries including China, BASIC, G77 and lMDC, the India Pavilion was also a hit on the occasion, said Javadekar.
He pointed out that the agreement has mentioned of India’s push for “sustainable lifestyles and climate justice” in the 31-page final draft. This is a big achievement for the country, he added.
Further, the text takes care of concerns of India, said Javadekar. It imbibes Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) for developed and developing countries. These have been mentioned across all pillars of action - mitigation, adaption, finance, technology capacity and transparency, said the Minister.
On the crucial financing issue, developed countries agreed to muster at least USD 100 billion a year from 2020 to help developing nations. To reach these ambitious and important goals, appropriate financial flows will be put in place, thus making stronger action by developing countries and the most vulnerable possible, in line with their own national objectives, he added.