India, SAARC Countries to Adhere to Kyoto Protocol

India and other South Asian countries have clearly stated that climate change negotiations in Copenhagen should be according to the Kyoto Protocol that lays down emission cuts on developed nation.

Speaking to reporters after the eighth meeting of SAARC Environment Ministers, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said that the SAARC countries will stick to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Bali Action Plan.

“The SAARC speaks in one voice that we should not move away from UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol and the Bali Action Plan on climate change,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.

Nonetheless, Ramesh declined to answer any query about his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in which he had reportedly recommended junking Kyoto Protocol and moving out of the G-77 on climate change issues.

But, yesterday he clarified that there was no change in India’s stand on climate change.