Cooperation on environmental issues,a priority for India, US

Mumbai, Aug 25 (UNI) United States Chairman for Council on Environment Quality, James L Connaughton has said India and the US will enhance cooperation on environmental issues on a top priority basis in the coming years.

Speaking at an interactive session with members of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here yesterday, Mr Connaughton said this was because cooperation on environmental issues would be easier in comparison to the complex civil-nuclear cooperation between both countries.

He informed that the US government is keen on shaping a legislative package for both countries to tackle environmental issues as a priority. Incidently, the House of Congress and the US Senate is also ready to treat issues concerned with pollution and environment on priority, Connaughton maintained.

Adding further, he said that pollution levels would be reduced to 70 per cent in the coming five to 10 years.In addition to the thousands of dollars being spent. Around 50 million dollars have been earmarked for the purpose of pollution control.

Advocating for a more vigirous market, he added that some 11 million dollars is being kept aside for the proposed 'Energy Consumption Bill' to tackle the impact of vehicle air pollution and for new energy technologies.

The US government is also monitoring developments of the dozens of partnerships agreed with organisations and countries in relation to green house efffects, air pollution, environmental protection and ecological balance, Connaughton asserted.

Connaughton drew attention that the US government is serious, for that reason is lining up business plans with the World Bank and would prioritise decisions on finance in regard to environment issues.

Speaking on the occasion, Sudhir Trehan, Immediate Past Chairman of CII(Western Region) informed about the Asia Pacific Partnership (APP), a body to address cleaner climate and other environmental issues of concern.

APP is a voluntary partnership body involving India China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and the United States of America unlike the Kyoto Protocol, Trehan said.

APP on clean development and climate is aimed at creating new investment oppurtunities, while building local capacity and removing barriers towards clean and more efficient technologies. Also to help each country meet nationally designed strategies for energy security by reducing pollution and addressing long term challeneges of climate change.

Trehan further added that Government of India has already intiated a number of bodies to tackle ecological and environmental pollution in the post liberalised scenario. In addition the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is also functioning as a watchdog in implementing regulations to keep environment clean.

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