Paris, Dec 1 (UNI) Asking the developed countries to make the deepest cut, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities must remain the bedrock of any agreement going to be reached at the UN Climate Change Summit.
         ''It is not just a question of historical responsiblity, they also have the most room
to make the cuts and make the strongest impact. And climate justice demands that with
the little carbon space we still have, developing countries have enough room to grow,'' he
said yesterday in his intervention at the Conference of Parties(CoP21) here.
        He said democratic India must grow rapidly to meet the aspirations of
1.25bn people, 300m of whom are without access to energy.
       So, India had  set ambitious targets, as by 2030,it will reduce emissions by 35 per cent of 2005 levels, and 40 per cent of its installed capacity will be from non- fossil fuels, he said.
      "We will achieve it by expanding renewable energy - for, example, by adding 175 Gigawatts of renewable generation by 2022. We will enlarge our forest cover to absorb at least 2.5 billion tonnes worth of carbon dioxide,’’ Mr Modi said.
         He pointed out that India was  reducing dependence on fossil fuel through levies and reduction in subsidies; switching sources of fuel where possible; and, transforming cities and public transportation.
         "We hope advanced nations will assume ambitious targets and pursue them sincerely. It is not just a question of historical responsibility. They also have the most room to make the cuts and make the strongest impact.
''And, climate justice demands that, with the little carbon space we still have, developing countries should have enough scope to grow. '' he said
        ''We are determined to do so  guided by our ancient belief that people and planet are inseparable, that human well being and  nature are indivisible. 'The pain of Paris is yet to heal. So, I speak in admiration for your resilience and resolve. And, I salute the world for standing, in full strength, with France and Paris, he said.
      ''Over the next few days, we will decide the fate of this planet. We do so when the consequences of the industrial age powered by fossil fuel are evident, especially on the lives of the poor. And, they are also the most vulnerable to the consequences of an industrial age powered by fossil fuel," Mr Modi said.
''Access to energy and a better life is a universal aspiration. And, so are clean environment and healthy habitats.
As the world's majority works its way to prosperity,'' he added.
UNI XC NAZ KU 0119