US can challenge India if it fail to meet climate goals

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Dec 21 (PTI) Even though the Copenhagen
accord is not legally binding, the United States would not
only "review" its implementation by India and China, but also
would "challenge" them if they do not meet the goals set by
the agreement, the White House said.
"Now, China, India have set goals. We are going to be
able to review what they are doing. We are going to be able to
challenge them if they do not meet those goals," David
Axelrod, Senior White House Advisor, told the CNN Sunday.
White House adviser, who is full of appreciation for the
last-minute non-binding Copenhagen climate accord, called it
as "a great step forward".
"Nobody says that this is the end of the road. The end of
the road would have been the complete collapse of those talks.
This is a great step forward," Axelrod said.
"Because this was noted and accepted by the entire
conference, the UN now has the ability to move forward on
these things and to implement them," he added.
Meanwhile, India's Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh
said the accord was "a good deal" for India.
Indian Prime Minister's Climate Envoy Shyam Saran has
said that India did not have to compromise on any of its
fundamental stands on the issue.
Approved after marathon negotiations last week between
US, China India, Brazil and South Africa, the accord says
greenhouse gases and other emissions by all nations must be
reduced enough to prevent average global temperatures from
rising more than two degrees Celsius. PTI LKJ
MYR