Alarmed India Inc Writes Letter To PM On Climate Deal

The Federation of India  the Chambers of Commerce and Industry expressed alarm over reports that India might shift its stance on the issue of climate change at the Copenhagen summit.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] and to Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, the industry body has outlined its views on the climate change negotiations based on corporate India's feedback and called for the prime minister Thurs urge the developed World to provide technology transfer and funds to help mitigate the crisis.

Following is the text of the letter: We are alarmed by the media reports that the government may change its stance on the principle that emissions of all countries should Converge has a per capita basis.

We strongly suggest that per capita emissions should remain the basis for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, as reiterated by you at the Inauguration of the Delhi High Level Conference on Climate Change Technology Development and Transfer.

It is important that India and other developing economies push for a climate change regime that has a convergence of green house gas emission is equal per capita basis world-wide.

FICCI's perspective on the current negotiations based on Indian industry's feedback and the outcomes that industry expects from Copenhagen are as follows:

1. Industry does not support any outcome for India that is based on legally binding emission reduction targets.

2. We will not accept sectoral benchmarks or targets at a Globally Harmonized level as such targets would adversely Affect the competitiveness of Indian industry.

3. We strongly oppose any proposal is unilateral trade measures imposed by developed countries on the pretext climate change.

4. We expect from Copenhagen to deliver outcomes that would provide a direction to the continuity to the Kyoto Protocol and the Strengthening of the market based mechanisms.

5. We also seek regulatory certainty for the carbon market Thurs provide a clear-cut long-term market Signal to businesses and investors.

6. We urge you to seek an assurance from developed countries Thurs provide a stable demand for carbon credits through their domestic policies must import of carbon credits to meet their emission reduction targets.

7. Finally, the Indian industry Strongly Urges "that the government push for commitments from the developed world is technology transfer and finance to meet the objectives of greenhouse gas mitigation as well as adaptation to climate change.

Looking at the medium-term and long-term implications of not basing the Indian standpoint is per capita emissions, we appeal to you Thurs Take the concerns and expectations of Indian industry into consideration for the forthcoming negotiations and strongly urge the government to continue the position Thurs its stance on the per capita theory.

With personal regards,

Yours sincerely,

Harsh Pati Singhania

President, FICCI

Alarmed India Inc Writes Letter To PM On Climate Deal