India: 'We'll Fight Global Warming Without International Funds'

The world's fourth-biggest carbon polluter appears to be moving forward with plans to reduce emissions and curb its contribution to global warming whether they have international funding or not.

"We've got to do what we've got to do," said Jairam Ramesh, India's environment minister. "I don't see India's climate change program being driven by international finance. International finance has its supportive role to play, it doesn't have a lubricating or a catalytic or a start-up role."

December's Copenhagen Accord (PDF) set a Jan. 31 deadline for industrialized nations to draw up emissions reduction targets for 2020, and for developing nations to specify a course of action for decreasing carbon pollution. India was among the nations, with the U.S., China, and Brazil, affirming plans at the summit for curbing emissions.

Published: January 14, 2010