Ensure green policies do not slow economic growth: Eco Survey

New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) India today favoured continuationof the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012 and made a strong pitch forparticipation of all countries in tackling climate change onthe principles of equity and common but differentiatedresponsibilities.

"Any solution to climate change, as a global problem,must be based on the participation of all countries, withreorganisation of common but differentiated responsibilitiesand the principle of equity," said the Economic Survey, tabledin the Parliament by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

It said the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol in itssecond commitment period and adoption of robust mitigationcommitments by developed countries would be essential formaintaining the credibility of the multi-lateral process totackle climate change.

The detailed mention on environment aspects was mentionedfor the first time in the Economic Survey at a time when thegovernment is trying to balance the twin challenges posed byclimate change and achieving economic growth.

It called for careful planning and customised policies toensure that green growth strategies do not result in slowgrowth.

"The increasing importance of climate-related issuesshould not shake the foundations of our inclusive growthstrategy," the survey said.

It termed as important the outcome of the Cancun climatemeet to set up a ''Green Climate Fund'' to support environment-related projects, programmes, policies and other activities indeveloping countries.

However, it said the goal of jointly mobilising USD 100billion per year till 2020 as ''long term finance'' to addressthe needs of developing nations fell short of the call forassessed contributions of 1.5 per cent of the GDP of developedcountries.

"India''s initiatives will succeed if the global frameworkof actions is effective and supportive," the survey said.

"While the outcomes in Cancun on climate fund, technologymechanism and adaptation framework and forestry (REDD+) arewelcome, further work is needed on strengthening of weakmitigation pledges by developed countries, preventingunilateral trade actions in the name of climate change, andcontinuing a dialogue on intellectual property rights as partof technology development and transfer efforts," it said. PTISKU