India refuses binding cuts on mercury pollution

Fighting pressure from rich countries like the US,India has refused to adopt a legally binding target to wipe out mercury from the country

Fighting pressure from rich countries like the US,India has refused to adopt a legally binding target to wipe out mercury from the country,and has agreed to prepare by 2013 a voluntary roadmap to reduce this toxic heavy metal.

India has said the technologies to remove mercury from thermal power plant emissions and products like fluorescent lamps are much too expensive for the poor countries,and that financial support from rich countries in this regard should be factored in as well as spelled out in the future inter-governmental negotiations held to rid the world of this poison.

Hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi earlier this month,the Inter Governmental Negotiating Committee on Mercury saw rich and poor countries deliberating the future of this metal,which has posed threat to environment and public health for years.

Story continues below this ad

Emissions from the hundreds of thermal power plants release heavy amounts of mercury a heavy metal that affects the nervous system in humans. Fluorescent lamps contain mercury and their disposal in the municipal solid waste poses the danger of contaminating the water bodies.

This was the third meeting of the parties. The next one is in June 2012 in Uruguay. The aim is to complete the negotiations by 2013. Much like the climate change negotiations,India told the US and European countries that its economic growth would be hampered if it agreed to a rigid timeline on mercury phaseout because thermal power plants are necessary instruments in growth.

Sources said the Indian establishment views these negotiations as a roundabout way to force poor nations on binding cuts on thermal power plants,which are a major source of greenhouse gases.

Like in the climate change diplomacy,India found an ally in such formidable contenders as China and Brazil.

Tags:
nation news

How BJD steadily lost its old guard, Naveen Patnaik’s trusted aides over the years

Political Pulse2 hr ago

Senior BJD leader Prafulla Kumar Mallik's suspension for criticizing the party's functioning and lack of responsible opposition adds to the growing discontent and resignations within the party. With reduced involvement and recent surgery of party leader Patnaik, there is a leadership vacuum and the party must redefine its role in opposition to regain lost ground.

View all shorts

Live Blog