Stockholm Institute’s Report Stirs Debate On India’s Stand
New Delhi: Developing countries have pledged greater levels of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions than the rich nations despite the developed world being responsible for a large part of the historical emissions.

This conclusion by the Stockholm Environment Institute has stirred debate about how far India would now be willing to go with the US and Europe lagging behind on substantial actions to prevent climate change but asking for greater commitments from the developing world.

Global climate talks in South Africa next month will not produce a "big bang" capable of producing a new and binding pact to slash greenhouse gases, but steady progress could be made, a senior European climate official said on Tuesday.

Jos Delbeke, director general for climate action at the European Commission, told a news briefing in Beijing that he had no illusions about the challenges facing negotiators during the next round of talks in Durban, but said he was optimistic that a "step by step" approach could seal a global compact by 2014-5.

New Delhi: The differences of opinion in the higher echelons of the government about India’s international climate change stance has now come out in the open with a Wiki-Leaks cable showing senior leaders Jairam Ramesh, in his role as environment minister, and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of Planning Commission, taking divergent views on climate change in their interactions with senior US officials.

New Delhi: Mexico and Papua New Guinea have come up with a proposal that could either end the continuing impasse at the UN climate talks or break down negotiations completely. The two countries have proposed that instead of working by unanimity, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change should decide on major issues by a simple majority.