India bats for taking IPCC report into account in climate negotiations

India along with three other nations Wednesday said the UN scientific report -- blocked by several countries, including the US, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Kuwait in the ongoing climate conference here -- should be taken into account in the climate negotiations.

The BASIC group of nations comprising Brazil, South Africa, India and China made their stand clear on the UN report on limiting global warming to 1.5 deg C (2.7 deg F) above pre-industrial levels at a joint-press conference held on the sidelines of the UN climate talks here.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report recommended "unprecedented" action to keep global warming to 1.5 deg C but the four fossil fuel producing countries led by the US refused to embrace the study, hindering negotiations at the conference.

"The (BASIC) group believes that the report is very important. It needs to be taken into account and we need to move forward on that," said A K Mehta, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, who is leading the Indian delegation at the UN climate conference.

India's silence on the US-led nations move on the issue was questioned by civil society organisations attending the conference.

"India's support to the IPCC report limiting global warming to 1.5 deg C should be welcomed by all because India recognises that the impact of climate change is going to be on its people," noted Indian climate expert Chandra Bhushan said.

The BASIC group also criticised the stand of the developed nations on other issues, including finance, in the ongoing UN climate talks, making it clear that there should be "no backsliding" on the Paris Agreement.

"There should be no backsliding on the Paris Agreement," said Derek Hanekom, head of the South African delegation and tourism minister of that country.

The BASIC group also expressed concern about the non-fulfilment of financial commitment made by the developing nations in Paris.

"The amount allocated is not sufficient. More finance is required," the group said.