India's greenhouse emissions are among lowest: Krishna

Natasha Chaku

Cairns, Aug 7 (PTI) Observing that its greenhouse gas
emissions are amongst the lowest in per capita terms, India
on Friday expressed its wish to engage "constructively and
productively" with the global community to combat climate
change and contribute its bit to protect the environment.

Union External Affairs Minister S M Krishna also said
India is of the view that the international community should
undertake special efforts to help Small Island Developing
States (SIDS) deal with climate change and the process of
adaptation.

"We share the disappointment of SIDS that not enough
has been done by the international community to help
developing countries, particularly those that are most
vulnerable to climate change like the SIDS to deal with the
issue of adaptation," he said, addressing the Post-Forum
Dialogue of Pacific Island Forum here.

India's greenhouse gas emissions are amongst the
lowest in per capita terms. "We recongise our responsibility
as a developing country and wish to engage constructively and
productively with the international community and to add
weight to global efforts to protect the environment," Krishna
said.

Adaptation remains the key for developing countries
and it needs to be adequately resourced without detracting
funds for development which in any case, is the best form of
adaptation, he said.

Krishna said India is committed to providing
assistance by way of capacity building as well as project
assistance to help Pacific Island Countries in the process of
adaptation to climate change and to promote the objectives of
sustainable development.

He also recalled that the Delhi Declaration issued at
the 8th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention
on Climate Change held in New Delhi in 2002, specifically
expressed deep concern at the increasing risk of the negative
impact of climate change to SIDS.

"The New Delhi Conference of Parties also recognized
for the first time the importance of adaptation needs of
SIDS," he said.

The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are
experiencing major adverse effects of climate change and
adaptation to adverse impacts of climate change and sea-level
rise remains a major priority for them, he said.

Krishna announced that India would conduct another
Workshop in Suva very soon for nominees from the 14 Pacific
Island countries on Climate Change. PTI ETB