India pledges to cut carbon emissions by 33-35 percent, demands an equitable climate deal at UN Summit in Dec

In a climate-change policy statement released ahead of a UN summit in Paris in December, India has promised to make its economy more energy efficient and cut the intensity of carbon emissions by 33-35 percent, compared to the 2005 levels, by 2030.

In a 38-page document, which was submitted to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change on 1 October, India said it would target a 40 per cent cumulative installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar is expected to unveil the document today, called the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution which outlines the government's action plan on combating climate change.

Eyes set on Paris this December

The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in Paris from November 30 to December 11. According to the organising committee, the conference aims to achieve, for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, a binding and universal agreement on climate, from all the nations of the world.

No absolute commitments

New Delhi has ruled out committing to absolute cuts in carbon emissions, in contrast to the United States, China and other nations which have announced peak years for emissions.

India's advocacy for developed nations

A preliminary estimate suggests that at least $2.5 trillion will be required for meeting India's climate change actions between now and 2030. Calling for a comprehensive and equitable climate change agreement at the Paris summit later this year, India said that developing countries can do more if they are enabled in their efforts with finances, technology transfer and capacity building support from developed countries.

"The world expects us to deliver an ambitious and credible agreement on climate change. We have a duty for common action but in doing, so we must keep in mind the larger historical contribution of some and the differentiated responsibility of others," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in her address to the annual debate of the UN General Assembly on Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Barack Obama and France and Britain's leaders last month, and called for a climate change agenda that helps developing countries with access to finance and technology.