“The Chinese cut in emissions per unit of GDP by 40-45 percent over 2005 levels by 2020 should not compel India to follow suit. The Chinese not only operate at a much higher level of energy intensity than India but also have a much higher growth rate.
If India considers making any commitment at Copenhagen, these should at best be to reduce the trend rate of growth of emissions through marginal measures such as popularising use of public transport among its growing population, increasing production of green energy to fuel its economic growth and specifying domestic regulations to ensure reduced emissions from its dirty industries”, said Pradeep S Mehta, Secretary General, CUTS International and Siddhartha Mitra, Director, CUTS International a leading economic policy research and advocacy organisation working at the interface of economic, trade and environmental issues.
The Chinese rate of growth of GDP tops India’s by 2 percent per annum -10 percent versus 8 percent approximately over the last five years. If these trends were to continue in the next 11 years, Indian GDP would increase by 133 percent and China’s by 185 percent over 2009 levels. Thus even if China reduces emission intensity by 40-45 percent and India does not alter its intensity, Chinese emissions would rise by 140 percent (percentage growth of GDP less energy intensity decrease) which would be higher than the Indian growth of 133 percent.
These facts are important given that China has unilaterally announced these cuts even when it was in negotiations with India to develop a joint stance at Copenhagen.
For more information, please contact:
Siddhartha Mitra, +91 97833 98920, SM2@cuts.org
Shruti Mittal, +91 91667 48610, SM5@cuts.org