The Indian Government is clear that it shall maintain its stand based on the “polluter pays†principle heading in to the 15thConference of Parties (COP) at Copenhagen, at which the international community will determine the shape of Climate Change policy post 2012 when the Kyoto Protocol is set to expire.
The Government of India makes it clear that what is being negotiated at COP 15 is not a new international framework for climate change or a post-Kyoto treaty. Rather, the Government states that what is being negotiated is fresh emission reduction targets for the developed nations along with a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, and an Action Plan that would enable more effective implementation of the UNFCCC objectives.
India’s position at Copenhagen according to the Government is as follows:
- The UNFCCC is the legally binding, multilateral instrument on the basis of which international community will deal with climate change. Its principles and objectives continue to be fully valid and will govern all of India’s future activities on the subject
- Kyoto Protocol will remain in force post 2012, only new emission reduction targets for developed countries is being discusses and a second commitment period to achieve these post 2012. The Protocol does not expire in 2012, nor are developing countries expected to take on reduction commitments post 2012
- The responsibility of developed countries to support sustainable development in developing countries through transfer of financial resources and technology is not linked to any conditionalities
- There cannot be an imposition of industry-wide norms on a global basis with regards to sectoral approaches to reduce emissions
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