India to oppose efforts to dilute developed world's responsibilities

India will strongly contest any attempt by developed countries to dilute their responsibilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, government sources today said while outlining India's key strategies at the upcoming Paris climate summit.

At the same time, India will also strongly "pursue lack of commitment" of developed countries in providing finance and green technology to developing nations to tackle the challenge of climate change and adopt clean energy pathways.

"Downplaying of developed countries' commitments and enhancement of developing countries contributions will be contested while lack of commitment of developed countries on finance and technology will be pursued," a top government source said.

India will also challenge attempts to cite its large economy to preclude it from being eligible for climate finance.

"Attempts to enlarge the contributor base and shrink recipent base for climate finance will be contested," the source pointed out.

India made it clear that the agreement should be based on basic principles of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in which equity, common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) will form the parts of its elements and historical responsibility will also be factored in.

The source said that the focus on mitigation goal by developed countries will also be contested by India.

The top source pointed out that there is no "redline" but only "greenlines" for India and another key issue which will come up is vacating carbon space for developing nations.

"There is 3,000 Giga tonnes of carbon space. 2,000 Giga tonnes are already blocked. Therefore the carbon space needs to be vacated for developing nations," the source said.

Although much has been talked about finance, the source pointed out that little has been done. "A new figure of 62 billion dollars is now being talked about but the pledge is only 10 billion dollars.

"However, if one sees actually, only 168 million dollars worth of projects have been sanctioned. There is no actual movement on finance. Therefore, India will be stressing for 100 billion dollars for Green Climate Fund (GCF). Finance will be a real issue of negotiations," the source pointed out. 

2015 Paris Climate Conference scheduled to take place from November 30 to December 11 will aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.

India's focus will also be on transfer of technology to developing countries which will help fight climate change.

"Unless technology is available, how can we go ahead to mitigate climate change? There should be a free flow of technology and it should be free of licensing cost and at an affordable cost," the source said.

At the same time, India will also take up the issue of emissions by developed nations over centuries. The source said that today, the world is facing challenges of temperature rise which is causing drought, floods, ice-melt and untimely rains.

The source pointed out that the projection of India as the fourth largest emitter is "one big lie". "We may be fourth but we are the smallest of the four. 29 per cent of China, 16 per cent US, ten percent of Europe, 56 per cent total and India is just five percent. I am 1/tenth of first three..where am I the largest emitter? We are not even a significant emitter.," the source said.

Ahead of the summit, India has pledged to curb its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35 per cent from the 2005 level.

In its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) submitted to UNFCCC, India has also announced that it aims at achieving around 40 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

The issue of climate justice which has been highlighted by India earlier as well will also figure in the talks in Paris while lifestyle issues will also find a mention in the negotiations.