India needs to reduce carbon footprint: PM

Chennai: India is among countries that will be most seriously hit by climate change and technological innovation was needed to cut carbon emissions, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Friday.

Speaking at the inauguration of two Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) projects here, Manmohan Singh said: "Today, climate change has become an urgent concern across the globe. "India is among the countries that would be the most seriously impacted by the consequences of climate change. We need to develop ways and means to reduce our carbon footprint through technological innovation," he said. The prime minister said more than 50 percent of power in the country came from coal-based generation, which is a major emitter of greenhouse gases. He said the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission seeks to develop 20,000 MW of solar power generating capacity by the end of the 13th Five Year Plan (by 2022). "Its success has the potential of enhancing India`s energy security, and contributing handsomely to our efforts to combat climate change." IANS