New Delhi:
As India sets off to discuss climate change at Copenhagen, the government has assured that the two principles which shall be the cornerstones of India's stand are:
Per Capita Emissions:This is the amount of carbon added by one person in the atmosphere in a year.
India holds that each human has an equal share in the atmosphere. An American adds 21 tonnes of carbon a year, an Indian adds 1.2 tonnes a year. At Copenhagen, India will only promise that it will not exceed per capita emission of a citizen of the rich world.
Historical Responsibility:A widely accepted concept that rich nations have historically polluted more so they have to do more now.
Rich nations industrialised over 200 years ago, and have polluted the world the most since. So the rich have to do more than developing countries like India, which morally cannot be asked to do as much. At Copenhagen, India will not accept any legally binding cuts in emission.