The decision is also a strong message to the developed countries, who have failed to achieve their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol, that India is not only serious about climate change but is also proactively taking steps to reduce its emissions even though it is not bound under the Kyoto Protocol to do so.

The decision to make a targeted reduction in its energy intensity comes in the backdrop of an intense Government focus on the issue of climate change with the Prime Minister himself taking an active interest and constituting an expert advisory council to prepare a national action plan. This reduction in energy intensity is sought to be complemented by tapping more energy from cleaner and renewable sources.

The Plan paper also aims for a major increase in India’s forest cover, from the nearly 25 per cent of land area now to about 33 per cent, as another step to reduce the country’s carbon emissions.

“The monitorable target of the 11th Plan is to increase forest cover by 5 per cent of the total geographical area. However, the policy target is to have 33 per cent forest and tree cover ultimately,” it says.

On a post-Kyoto framework, which is currently being negotiated in the Indonesian city of Bali, the paper sticks to India’s long-held stand that developing countries need not take any emission cuts.