India and China appeal developed nations to lead efforts in climate change combat
Ahead of the crucial climate conference in Paris later this year, India and China today appealed to developed countries to take the lead role in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and provide finance and technology to developing nations for mitigation purposes.
Noting that bilateral partnership on climate change is “mutually beneficial”, the two nations also decided to boost cooperation in clean energy technologies, energy conservation, renewable energy and sustainable transportation among others.
At the forthcoming UN climate conference, the two nations also decided to “work together” to come out with an effective agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015 to reduce global emissions.
“The two sides urged the developed countries to raise their pre-2020 emission reduction targets and honour their commitment to provide USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to developing countries,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping said in a joint statement on climate change.
Expressing full support for the success of the UNFCCC, India and China decided to work together and with other countries to advance the multilateral negotiations to achieve a “comprehensive, balanced, equitable and effective agreement” at Paris in December this year.
That apart, the two nations stressed on the importance and urgency of implementing the outcomes of the Bali Road Map in order to increase the pre-2020 ambitions and build mutual trust among countries, the statement added.
Asserting that UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol are the most “appropriate” framework for global cooperation for addressing climate change, the two nations reaffirmed the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.
They also “call(ed) for the leadership of developed countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing finance, technology and capacity building support to developing countries,” the joint statement said.
The UN climate conference, to be held in Paris from November 30 to December 11 this year, is tasked with finalising a global agreement designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
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