The Hindu Business Line : UK not to go back on Kyoto commitment

Mr Mark Runacres (left), British Deputy High Commissioner, listens to delegates at the UK-India Climate Change Business Seminar titled `Project Development, Technology and Finance for Indian CDM Projects' in Hyderabad on Thursday. - P.V. Sivakumar

Hyderabad , Nov. 24

THE United Kingdom has asserted that it will not soften its stand with regard to the Kyoto commitment on climate change.

Mr Mark Runacres, the British Deputy High Commissioner, has said that there would not be any `U' turn by the UK on the issue.

Responding to a question on the issue at the Administrative Staff College India (ASCI) here on Thursday, he said Britain believed that Kyoto was part of the solution. "It is not going to be the only solution. We recognised some political realities," he said.

The question on the possible `U' turn in UK's policy referred to the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair's "changing his thinking" about on the issue and the concerns from environmental groups.

Earlier, speaking on `International energy security and climate change concerns,' he said the UK remained on track to meet its Kyoto commitment. "We are investing over £500 million in developing renewable and low carbon technologies," he said.

He said he believed the policies they established in 2003 still provide the right framework for energy policy. The UK would come out with a white paper next summer, he added.

On fossil fuels, the UK had bilateral collaboration agreements with the US and China to research and develop cleaner fossil fuel technologies. "In India, we have met with some resistance," he said, without elaborating on the issue.

Earlier in the day Mr Runacres inaugurated the UK-India Climate Change Business Seminar. In his address he emphasised the need for public-private-non-governmental organisations to jointly work in the area of climate change.

"We also have to engage the business community to fight the impact of climate change," the Deputy High Commissioner said. A 20-strong delegation from the UK are participating in the trade mission to the country.

Mr Runacres felt that London can fit the role to emerge as the hub for emission trading. It is already a big centre for trading of stocks, currency and commodities.

The UK can offer technologies to reduce green house gas emissions, carbon credit portfolio purchasers and project finance and developers, said Mr Jed Jones of the UK Climate Change Projects Office in his presentation.

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