Time for action by developing nations on climate change: Javadekar

Noting that response of many countries is not adequate to combat climate change, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said time has come for "enhanced action" by developing nations.

"We are at a very critical stage in our effort to combat climate change. While science prompts towards greater action, we find that response of countries is not adequate. We must incentivise action -- the first step in this regard is enhanced action by developing countries", the Minister said.

Javadekar was addressing the 18th BASIC ministerial meeting on climate change here which is being attended by ministers of Brazil, China and South Africa.

Maintaining that the issue of climate change and global warming is not country specific but interdependent in nature and requires cooperation among nations, the Minister said India has taken a number of action on voluntary basis with its own resources in pursuance of a sustainable development strategy.

"India has announced a voluntary 2020 mitigation goal of reducing emissions, he said.

India has formulated its national climate change action plan with eight missions which is being strengthened, Javadekar said.

The Minister also said that the country has designed a low carbon strategy for growth and has set up ambitious renewable energy targets.

"We have also encouraged states to prepare their own state action plan on climate change to take the fight to local level...27 states and four UTs have already done it", the minister said.

Noting that the government is committed to the cause of a clean and green environment, he said the Union Budget has underlined initiatives to tackle climate change.

Clean energy cess on coal has been increased from Rs 50 per ton to Rs 100 to raise more revenue for clean energy and cross subsidising solar and other renewable energy.

A sum of Rs 100 crore has been allocated for national adaption fund for climate change while Rs 100 crore has been allocated for new ultra modern super critical coal based thermal power technology, he said.