Though India’s per capita emission is low when compared to that of developed nations, it is among the top polluters of the world. The UN report on climate change sets 80 per cent reduction targets for developed countries and 20 per cent for developing countries like India and China by 2050. Sounds fair? But here is why India doesn’t think so:

INDIA’s ARGUMENT
l The country with 17 per cent of the world population emits only 4 per cent of global greenhouse gases. The government's stand is that climate change is an excuse by the West to suppress the nation's economic boom.
l India's position is that it will not compromise on its 8 per cent economic growth to arrest global warming, arguing the industrialised West are the historical polluters and they must make the first move.
l India—whose population is predicted to reach 1.5 bn by 2050—must be allowed to pollute on a per capita basis equally with the West.
l At present, the average American citizen accounts for more than 15 times the carbon emissions of the average Indian, the average Briton seven times. India's emissions are predicted to surpass those of the US in 30 years.
l Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of India's Planning Commission, attacked the UN report, calling it “unfair” and “fundamentally misconceived”.

The Other view
l The argument is that the climate change threat is real and India can’t wait for the West to act. India, they say, must not hide behind its vast population
l By 2030, India will have higher emission rates than China and the US.
l India has not drawn up a blueprint to tackle climate change, probably the only country not to have one. The country could soon find itself top of CO2 emission chart.
l National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), India’s largest public sector power company, is the third highest polluter in its category in the world. Electricity production in India is carbon intensive, emitting more then twice as much CO2 per kilowatt-hour than in the EU.
l Climate change will affect the poor countries, not the rich. India, with 800 million poor people, will be among the hardest hit.
l India’s automobile emission norms are obsolete—the country is at least10 years behind Europe. The diesel used in automobiles has one of the highest sulphur content in the world.
l The highest income group in India, constituting one per cent of the population, emits four-and-a-half times as much CO2 as the lowest income group.
l Wealthy, less populous countries in the North are very likely to suffer fewer devastating blows to their economies; they may actually benefit with extended growing seasons. But India and other South Asian nations will suffer if action is not taken now.

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