This refers to the editorial, “Trump's climate change” (June 5). In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated India’s environment commitments by taking the lead in drawing up a sustainable path to development through the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions for climate change. In the spirit of the principle of common but differentiated responsibility, he called upon the developed countries to provide access to finance and technology to enable emerging economies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The following year, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change acknowledged differentiated responsibility for developing nations which led to the signing of the historic Paris climate change agreement. By pulling out of the agreement, US President Donald Trump has not only refused to honour the developed world’s obligations on climate change but also put the developing world in a double jeopardy: Of having to emit large volumes of greenhouse gases to achieve growth, while preparing to adapt to the destructive effects of adverse weather conditions that are linked to climate change. It is unfortunate that instead of exploring potential for energising international policies and linkage between external finance and climate action, the Trump Administration has taken a myopic position. For a powerful economy such as the US to show its back to what is arguably the most important issue facing humanity, is condemnable.