Shimla: Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said on Friday that the primary responsibility for reducing global warming lies with developed countries.
"We are engaging all countries, developing as well as developed countries. Our stand is clear that the primary responsibility for reducing global warming is that of developed nations," Ramesh said during an environment protection conclave in Shimla state.
Ramesh also addressed a gathering of environmentalists during Himalayan People's Conclave on Climate Justice, a two-day conclave on Indian Himalayas: Glaciers, Climate Change and Livelihoods.
The conclave, which began on Friday was attended by hundreds of environmentalists including Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Ramesh also announced a green-bonus scheme for the five states.
The bonus will be provided to the state government by the Central Government on the basis of their performance on sustainable development and protection forests.
"The states like Uttrakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, which are having lot of forest cover, which are providing ecological function should be compensated for preserving their forests. There must be an incentive for the state to retain their forest cover," Ramesh added.
He also informed that the green bonus would be reflected in the report of the finance commission recommendation which is scheduled to be released next month.
Developing nations led by China and India say the rich need to make cuts averaging at least 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 to avoid the worst of climate change.
Recently, both countries signed an agreement to cooperate in the fight against climate change and also underlined a common position on contentious talks for a tougher global climate deal.
The agreement said: "The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol are the most appropriate framework for addressing climate change."
The Kyoto Protocol, the first phase of which ends in 2012, obliges 37 rich nations to cut emissions by an average of five per cent below 1990 levels by 2008-12.
A huge gap also exists between rich countries reluctant to pay the fiscal and lifestyle costs of deep cuts in their emissions, and developing states, which say they must be allowed to increase emissions so their economies can catch up.
Negotiations have stumbled on lack of clarity on the amount, sources and management of any climate funds as well as the legal nature of any new post-2012 pact.
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