India's Prime Minister Urges Industrialized Countries to Own Up to Climate Change Responsibility

Strategic Insights -

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called on industrialized countries to acknowledge their "historical responsibility" for climate change as he headed to the G8 summit in Italy. Singh's statement highlights the simmering tensions between developed and developing nations over emission cuts, with India and other emerging economies refusing to commit to reductions until industrialized countries present their own targets. The G8 summit, which opened Wednesday in L'Aquila, Italy, is seen as a crucial opportunity to revive the quest for a new global climate pact.

Key Takeaways:

  • Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has urged industrialized countries to acknowledge their historical responsibility for climate change, citing over two centuries of industrial activity and high consumption lifestyles in the developed world.
  • Singh's statement emphasizes the rift between industrialized and emerging nations over emission cuts, with India and other developing countries refusing to commit to reductions until industrialized countries present their own targets.
  • The G8 summit in Italy has become a major opportunity to revive the quest for a new global climate pact, with more than 180 nations working to adopt a new treaty in Copenhagen in December.
  • U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has vowed to press G8 leaders to live up to their pledges on climate change, warning that the damage likely to be wrought by carbon emissions will be catastrophic for developing nations.

Statistics:

  • Over two centuries of industrial activity and high consumption lifestyles in the developed world have led to the current climate change crisis.
  • More than 180 nations are working to adopt a new climate treaty in Copenhagen in December.
  • India, along with Brazil, China, Mexico, and South Africa, regularly attends G8 summits as one of five emerging economies.

Sources:

  • (Dow Jones Commodities News Select via Comtex) - "India's PM Calls on Developed Countries to Project Climate Responsibility" (07 Jul 2009).
  • Dow Jones & Company, Inc. - Copyright (c) 2009 (07 Jul 2009).
  • (END) Dow Jones Newswires 07-07-09 0304ET