Grant carbon, development space to developing countries: Survey

Against the backdrop of over 190 countries pledging emission cuts for the post-2020 period, the new climate deals must ensure developing countries are granted the required "carbon and development space", India's Economic Survey for 2013-14 said Wednesday.

"As the global climate community faces a deadline for reaching an agreement in 2015, bringing in more than 190 countries to pledge emission cuts for the post-2020 period," said the survey, presented in parliament by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley a day ahead of the general budget for 2014-15.

"It is important that future agreements should take into account developing countries' concerns and requirements fully. New climate deals must ensure that developing countries are granted the required carbon space and development space," it said.

"Governments are currently working on two new agreements on climate change and sustainable development, both of which will be new global frameworks for action to be finalised next year."

The survey said as human induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are growing, which are chiefly responsible for climate change, the world is not on track for limiting increase in global average temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius.

"GHG emissions grew on an average 2.2 percent per year between 2000 and 2010, compared to 1.3 percent per year between 1970 and 2000. As far as India in concerned, its per capita carbon emissions increased from 0.8 metric tonnes to 1.7 metric tonnes in 2010, well below the world average of 4.9 metric tonnes in 2010."

"India has already committed that its per capita emissions will not exceed those of the developed countries under any circumstance. India is making progress in implementing national plans on climate change."