The Hindu Business Line : Changing weather

Time was when the world was quite simple for the rich countries that huddled together every year to plan how the world ought to be run. That conclave of eight developed nations, called the G-8, still retains its exclusivity but dramatic changes in the developing economies, some of which have come close to being labelled `developed', have forced the Elite Eight to at least invite the emerging nations for the annual event. India, along with China and three other emerging nations, are for the third time in a row attending the G-8 meet in Germany, especially as one of the main agendas of the meet is climate change. This is an issue of concern for all, but for the first time India and China have a chance to present their viewpoints, unlike earlier, on a subject that affects them equally.

It is at the initiative of the German Chancellor, the host of the summit, that carbon emissions have received top priority and a deal has been struck albeit with reservations. For the five emerging countries there is bound to be pressure from the club of the rich to get their act together. India is well prepared to defend both its growth process and the emission levels that are far less than those from some of the developed countries such as the US. According to a background paper prepared by the Ministry of External Affairs, per capita emissions are just one-quarter the world average and 4 per cent that in the US. To its credit, Germany has persuaded the G-8 to agree to reduce toxic greenhouse gas pollution and to "seriously consider" the objective of cutting by half noxious emissions by 2050. Not surprisingly, the US objected to any mandatory clauses but the British Prime Minster too praised the deal. Though it falls short of any binding agreement, largely on account of the American opposition, the fact that the G-8 countries have agreed to consider the proposition is a starting point in the global battle against climate change caused by dangerous carbon emissions.

For too long, the developed nations have pointed the finger at the developing countries, but as India has shown, supported by data, the G-8 must examine its own backyard before pointing fingers at emerging economies as the main source of emissions. The G-8 deal, weakened as it is by the US refusal to any binding agreements, is a step forward by the biggest polluters. If India and China are to be roped into the fight against carbon emissions, as the US President, Mr George Bush, insists, the G-8 must consider freer access to energy-saving techniques than the patent regimes of the US, for example, now allow.

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