Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, has been at the helm of a ministry that is controversial in the least.
Even as he heads to New York to sign one of the first truly global pacts on climate change, at home, his Ministry is fighting criticism on multiple fronts — not least among which are trials of genetically-modified (GM) crops and its new waste management plans.
In a conversation with BusinessLine, Javadekar said the Government would take a tough stand on unjust carbon taxation regime by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Excerpts:
You have repeatedly asked for assurance on technology support and the $100-billion climate fund. Will you seek a firmer stance on the COP 21 Agreement when you sign it?
It is the agreement made in Paris that we will sign on and put our actions on, and show that India is leading with example.
In the Union Budget, India’s climate adaptation fund has been dubbed as insufficient. If required, will you increase it?
No, it isn’t too low. As and when the projects are ready, we have asked all States to prepare their adaptation plans. So, once their proposals come, money will not be a problem. But yes, if need be, we will consider increasing.
Why do you think the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s carbon taxation model needs to be re-visited? Will you take it up individually as well?
It is a bad move and unjust to the developing world. Our people have a right to fly too, and that would be jeopardised if such a regressive taxation is put in place unilaterally. As BASIC countries, we have opposed that and our stand will remain. We will take it up individually as well and ensure such regressive taxation doesn’t happen.
13/04/16 Aesha Datta/Amiti Sen/Business Line
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Even as he heads to New York to sign one of the first truly global pacts on climate change, at home, his Ministry is fighting criticism on multiple fronts — not least among which are trials of genetically-modified (GM) crops and its new waste management plans.
In a conversation with BusinessLine, Javadekar said the Government would take a tough stand on unjust carbon taxation regime by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Excerpts:
You have repeatedly asked for assurance on technology support and the $100-billion climate fund. Will you seek a firmer stance on the COP 21 Agreement when you sign it?
It is the agreement made in Paris that we will sign on and put our actions on, and show that India is leading with example.
In the Union Budget, India’s climate adaptation fund has been dubbed as insufficient. If required, will you increase it?
No, it isn’t too low. As and when the projects are ready, we have asked all States to prepare their adaptation plans. So, once their proposals come, money will not be a problem. But yes, if need be, we will consider increasing.
Why do you think the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s carbon taxation model needs to be re-visited? Will you take it up individually as well?
It is a bad move and unjust to the developing world. Our people have a right to fly too, and that would be jeopardised if such a regressive taxation is put in place unilaterally. As BASIC countries, we have opposed that and our stand will remain. We will take it up individually as well and ensure such regressive taxation doesn’t happen.
13/04/16 Aesha Datta/Amiti Sen/Business Line
