Copenhagen climate accord an input for twin-track negotiation: Ramesh

New Delhi, Jan 25 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh reiterated that the Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC) would pursue their objective vis-à-vis the Copenhagen Accord.

Talking to reporters after the meeting of the BASIC Environment Ministers here on Sunday, Ramesh said: "We support the Copenhagen Accord. All of us are unanimously are of the view that the value of the accord lies not as a stand alone document but as an input to the two track negotiating process under the UNFCCC, the two track negotiating process which will culminate in Mexico City in December of 2010."

The BASIC countries, while endorsing the Copenhagen Accord, have opposed any single legally binding instrument that allows rich nations to dilute their climate commitments.

He further said: "The most important call from the BASIC from New Delhi is for the convening of the two negotiating groups immediately we have said that these negotiating groups should be called in March 2010 and at least six meetings of these negotiating groups should be held in the year 2010 so that we can have successful conclusion at Mexico.".

Brazil and South Africa have already signed the accord, while India and China are yet to do so.

The BASIC delegates included Xie Zhenhua, Vice Chairman, National Development and Reform Commission of China, Carlos Minc, Brazilian Minister for Environment, Buyelwa Sonjica, South African Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs and Jairam Ramesh.

The meeting has been convened by the Government of India with a view to have consultation amongst BASIC countries and evolve a co-ordinated approach to climate change related issues during 2010 in the run up to the next crucial meet to be held in Mexico at the end of this year.

The document set a January 31 deadline for rich nations to submit economy-wide emissions targets for 2020 and for developing countries to present voluntary carbon-curbing actions. (ANI)