New Delhi: India will be able to meet the
target of cutting carbon intensity by 20 to 25 per cent of
2005 level by 2020 without affecting growth, Environment
Minister Jairam Ramesh said on Saturday.
He called for balancing between economic growth and
environment sustainability while planning roadmap for eight to
nine per cent growth rate.
"We are convinced that we are one of the lowest emission
intensity because service sector is the larger contributor of
our GDP. We will reduce our carbon intensity by 20 to 25 per
cent of the 2005 level by 2020," he said at a summit
co-organized by Wall Street Journal and CII.
The view of Ramesh came days after the government set up
a committee to prepare a roadmap for lowering carbon intensity
emissions in various sectors such as power, transport, coal
and cement.
"The targets will be met. We will not fall short of
targets," he said.
He outlined the recent initiatives of the government in
starting of solar energy mission as a step in this direction.
He said the growth strategy of the country should also
consider the issue of environment. "We cannot go for growth
ignoring ecology," Ramesh said.
Despite differences on a number of issues, India and
China are collaborating on the issue of climate change. Both
the countries have agreed to collaborate on studying glaciers,
he said.
Partnership with China on climate change is strategic, he
said.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 19:13