India focuses on renewables in new climate plan

India unveiled a national plan to deal with the threat of global warming, focusing on renewable energy for sustainable development while refusing to commit to any emission targets that risk slowing economic growth. The National Action Plan identified harnessing renewable energy, such as solar power, and energy efficiency as central to India’s fight against global warming. A climate change fund would be set up to research “green” technologies. Goldman Sachs said climate change could deplete India’s cultivable land area and productivity, reduce labor productivity and increase the threat of toxic and chemical waste in the environment. “Although such dire prognostications are premature, urbanization, industrialization and on-going global climate change will take a heavy toll on India’s environment, if not managed better,” it said. (June 30, 2008)