"India's role positive in countering climate change"

India has been playing a very constructive role in countering global climate change since the Copenhagen summit on climate change, a top UK government official said.

"India's approach to the whole problem has been positive and the country played a constructive role in the negotiations," First Secretary of Climate Change and Energy of British High Commission, Fergus Auld, said on the sidelines of a seminar organised by CII and Centre for Social Markets here yesterday.

"India's decision to cut carbon emission was a very positive step to counter global climate change," he said.

Ahead of the summit on December three last year, Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh had said the government would reduce carbon emission intensity by 20-25 per cent by 2020 through a series of policy measures, including mandatory fuel efficiency standards on all vehicles.

Auld said India has played constructive role in some areas like development of low-carbon technology and forestry.

The UK climate official feels that there is a slim possibility of reaching an agreement in next climate summit to be held in Mexico this December or next year in South Africa.

"With the current developments taking place, reaching an agreement there is not a foregone conclusion," he said.

British government agencies have been helping state governments like West Bengal to formulate plans, create awareness and policy applications, sources said.