20-25% emission cuts by 2020 voluntary domestic commitment: min

The government today said the pledge to cut 20-25 per cent emissions intensity by 2020, which is equivalent to the 2005 level, is a voluntary domestic commitment and not globally binding, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"This (intensity cuts) will be a voluntary domestic commitment and will not form part of any international agreement committing to binding emission intensity on emission reduction targets," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said in a written reply.

"The exercise in Planning Commission has found that the emission intensity has declined by 17.06 per cent between 1990 and 2005.

"Further the Commission has concluded that we can have a 20-25 per cent reduction in emission intensity between 2005 and 2020," he said, adding that the government is fully committed to sustainable development in the country.

Replying to another query, he said India's position states that voluntary domestic commitments that are not supported by international finance and technology should not be subject to any international monitoring, reporting and verification.

Ramesh said there was no proposal under consideration to levy carbon fee in order to reduce carbon in environment.