Paris climate pact covers India’s interests: Javadekar

Asserting that it has “secured” India’s interests in the Paris agreement on climate change, the government on Wednesday said the pact meets its “broad expectations” and recognises the country’s development imperatives.

“We feel vindicated that all our major requirements have been accepted and have become a part of the agreement,” said Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.

He made the statement in both the Houses amid the din due to noisy protests by members of Congress and some other parties over a host of issues.

Javadekar, who had led an inter-ministerial delegation that participated in the Conference of Parties in Paris, highlighted the major aspects of the agreement which, he said, recognised the imperatives of climate justice, the specific needs and special circumstances of developing countries, a point made by India.

“The agreement also explicitly recognises that the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances will be respected.

“India has been a strong advocate of the principle of differentiation and operationalisation of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR)... I am pleased to inform the House that India has been able to secure its interest and that of the developing countries in this agreement. The Paris agreement meets our broad expectations,” he said.

Throughout the course of the negotiations, India engaged constructively and in good faith, he said, adding that the path-breaking alliance will provide an “unprecedented” boost to solar energy development.

Javadekar reiterated the Paris accord is a “legally binding” agreement that covers both developed and developing countries with the aim of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change.

The minister said that India’s presence was strongly felt at the Conference of Parties (CoP21) and that India’s views were heard and accounted for in the Paris agreement.

“We were proactive, positive and friendly,” he said.