India wont accept legally binding emission cuts: Ramesh

India announced that it would reduce carbon emission intensity by 20-25 per cent by 2020 on the 2005 levels through a series of policy measures.

Ahead of the Copenhagen summit on climate change,India announced that it would reduce carbon emission intensity by 20-25 per cent by 2020 on the 2005 levels through a series of policy measures,including mandatory fuel efficiency standards on all vehicles.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said if the Copenhagen Summit is successful in reaching a “comprehensive and equitable agreement”,India would be willing to do more but only through voluntary measures.

“We are telling the world that India is voluntarily ready to reduce emission intensity by 20-25 per cent in 15 years from 2005,” he said replying to a debate in the Lok Sabha on impact of climate change.

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Ramesh listed out a series of steps including introducing mandatory fuel efficiency standards on all vehicles by December 2011,model green building code and amendment of Energy Conservation Act to make it necessary for industries to have energy efficiency certificates.

Greater thrust will be given to generating electricity using clean coal technologies,he said adding that 50 per cent of all new capacity additions will be based on such source.

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