India Promotes Solar But Refuses to Commit to Cutting CO2 Emissions

India’s new National Action Plan to address climate change focuses on shifting the coal-based economy to renewable energy but avoids any commitment to cut CO₂ emissions. The plan emphasizes energy efficiency, solar development, water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem. But Indian officials argue that since the nation’s per capita emissions are a fraction of those in developed countries — in 2004, 1.2 tons per person to the U.S.’s 20.6 — it should not have to limit its growth in order to control the production of greenhouse gases. As a developing country, India is not required to cut emissions under the Kyoto Protocol and continues to boost its CO₂ production by 2 to 3 percent annually. “Our people have a right to economic and social development and to discard the ignominy of widespread poverty,” said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.