Climate: Joint SAARC statement at Copenhagen meet

The broader goal for the SAARC countries is to be a ‘single entity’ speaking for the region at Copenhagen. “In addition to individual statements by different countries,we will also ask for SAARC as an entity to issue a statement. Sri Lanka,as the current chair,will release the statement in Copenhagen. SAARC is absolutely clear that it will stay within the framework of the Kyoto Protocol,UNFCCC and the Bali Action Plan. SAARC will also hold a side event in Copenhagen to highlight the vulnerabilities of and the actions taken by the SAARC countries,” said Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.

As reported by this paper,the draft environment treaty contains co-operation in the fields of pollution,disaster management,biodiversity and rivers.

India also reiterated that it would give one million dollars each to the SAARC Forestry Centre and the SAARC Coastal Management Centre. The Technical Committee on Environment has been asked to identify possible joint corridors for biodiversity conservation and the Ministers also decided to hold a joint workshop on climate change every year.

Never said India should move out of Kyoto,clarifies Jairam

NEW DELHI: In a press statement on Tuesday,Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said that he had never indicated that India should move out of the Kyoto Protocol.

“I have never at any stage considered or advocated abandoning the fundamental tenets of the Kyoto Protocol,as was stated in the article — this is a mischievous interpretation. My basic point is that India’s interests and India’s interests alone shall dictate our negotiating stance. As for the insinuations that I am reflecting a pro-US bias,I will let my actions speak for themselves,” it said. ENS