'India can lead the world to solve climate change crisis'

New Delhi, Mar 15 : Former US Vice-President and Nobel Peace laureate Al Gore today said that India, as an advanced developing country, can lead the world in renewable energy technologies as part of a solution to the climate change crisis.

"India has proven its capability in sectors like Information Technology and can be a leader in the world in developing new renewable technologies to combat climate change," he told reporters here.

Gore was speaking at the launch of the India chapter of 'The Climate Project', a US-based non-profit organisation that supports the former vice-president's efforts in promoting climate change activism globally.

Asked about the differences between developed and developing countries on greenhouse gas emission cuts, Gore said fast developing nations like India has a right to aspire for higher standard of living and set whatever goals they think is appropriate.

Using 21st century-efficient technologies is the relevant issue today, not the comparison in emissions by countries, he said.

"India itself is vulnerable to effects of climate change and can be a part of the solution," he said.

Gore said there is need for a change in the US policy on climate and whoever comes to the White House after the November presidential polls will have to take necessary steps.

"My country is the largest source of pollution and most responsible for creating the problem. We need a change in policy in the US," said the environmental activist who has won an Oscar for his documentary on global warming, "An Inconvenient Truth."

ANI