Paris: Modi pulls up rich nations on climate change

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday warned developed nations that it would be “morally wrong” if they shift the burden of reducing emissions on developing countries like India, asserting that poor nations had a right to burn carbon to grow their economies. “The lifestyles of a few must not crowd out opportunities for the many still on the first steps of the development ladder,” Prime Minister Modi wrote in the Opinion section of Monday’s Financial Times.

“The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should be the bedrock of our collective enterprise. Anything else would be morally wrong,” he said as the leaders from 150 countries opened a 12-day UN conference on climate here, aimed at limiting emissions of gases blamed for global warming. He asked the developed nations which powered their way to prosperity on fossil fuels to fulfil their duty to shoulder the greater burden of the fight against climate change.

Developed nations led by the US insist that the burden must be shared more evenly to achieve the aim of limiting global warming to less than two degrees Celsius. The issue is one of the major obstacles to a universal deal to control the warming of the planet.

In the article in the UK's leading financial daily, Modi said, “Some say advanced countries powered their way to prosperity on fossil fuel when humanity was unaware of its impact.” 

“Since science has moved on and alternative energy sources are available, they argue that those just beginning their development journey bear no less responsibility than those who have reached the zenith of their progress. New awareness, however, should lead advanced countries to assume more responsibility. Just because technology exists does not mean it is affordable and accessible,” he wrote.