To help industry, top US eco official comes calling

The US has sent its most high-profile official on environment to interact with industry leaders in India to help them to be more energy efficient and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

The US has sent its most high-profile official on environment to interact with industry leaders in India to help them to be more energy efficient and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. James L. Connaughton, the White House Chairman of the Council on Environment Quality, is on a week-long visit to India to convey that the US is serious on the Asia Pacific Partnership (APP) on Climate Change and it is up to the Indian industry to seize the opportunity.

This partnership is an alternative to Kyoto Protocol, which is a multilateral process with 189 countries to cut down on greenhouse gases. APP created controversy when it was first set up in August 2005 as it was seen as undercutting the Kyoto process. A partnership of six nations — Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the US — it aims to achieve energy security while promoting economic growth. Unlike Kyoto, it does not have binding targets for cutting down emissions.

A major thrust of the visit, which will include interaction with the Indian industry in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, is to highlight the multi-billion dollar investment opportunities in the area of clean technologies.

Story continues below this ad

Once the action plans are formulated, based on reports of eight task forces, including two headed by Indian cement and steel sector, the countries would be able to move ahead with investment plans. Each country would have a national plan to promote research and development and adoption of efficient technologies. Cleaner fuel, steel, cement, aluminum, power generation and transmission, renewable energy, mining, buildings and appliances are the eight focus areas of APP.

Speaking at a meeting organised by Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce, Connaughton said the APP would go beyond Kyoto Protocol to achieve substantial reduction in greenhouse gases.

He met Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora, Minister of Power Sushil Kumar Shinde, Minister of state for External Affairs Anand Sharma and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Modi writes foreword to Giorgia Meloni’s memoir, calls the book her ‘Mann Ki Baat’

India5 hr ago

PM Modi hails Italian PM Meloni's autobiography, praising her as a patriot and contemporary leader. He applauds her for championing cultural heritage and motherhood. The book, a bestseller, depicts Meloni's journey as a woman in politics and her historic rise to becoming Italy's first female PM.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS