India targeted developed countries during the ongoing hearing on the climate crisis in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). New Delhi said these countries used up a large share of the global carbon budget, did not fulfill climate finance promises and are now demanding developing countries to reduce their use of resources. The hearing at the ICJ is being held to decide what legal responsibilities countries have to tackle climate change and what the consequences will be if they do not do so.
Luther M Rangrezi, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, on Thursday, representing India, said it is unfair to expect countries which have historically had negligible emissions to bear the same burden in mitigating climate change. He said developed countries have used the global carbon budget inconsistently. Developed countries should set an example to the world by achieving the target of net zero before 2050.
Inequalities need to be eliminated
India said that the obligations of developing countries depend on the fulfillment of these two important aspects of climate finance and climate justice. But developed countries are not providing enough help to meet the needs of developing countries in mitigating climate change. Global cooperation on climate change cannot succeed without addressing existing inequalities in responsibility and capacity.
A limit to our burden on citizens
Ranjreji said that 17.8 percent of the world’s population lives in India. Despite this, its contribution to climate change is less than 4 percent. He said there is a limit to the burden we can impose on our citizens, even as we strive to achieve sustainable development goals for one-sixth of the world’s population. He said that despite the lack of financial, technical support promised by developed countries, India remains committed to its NDCs under the Paris Agreement. NDC i.e. Nationally Determined Contribution is a plan made by every country to reduce climate change.
Hearing will continue till December 14
This hearing, which started on December 2, will continue till December 14. A bench of 15 judges from across the world is hearing the case. However, any decision taken by the ICJ will not be binding and rich countries will not be forced to help poor countries.