The focus on environment needs a recalibration from climate change to climate justice PM Narendra Modi said in his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, signalling that India will not give in to pressure at the global climate pact in Paris in December.
"When we speak only of climate change, there is a perception of our desire to secure the comforts of our lifestyle," PM Modi said. "When we speak of climate justice, we demonstrate our sensitivity and resolve to secure the future of the poor from the perils of natural disasters."
Climate justice, he indicated, is a "question on equity", its central principle is common but the responsibility is "differentiated".
India has always maintained that the responsibility of containing climate change the fallout of a medley of causes including carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gases is of the developed world and not of the developing countries.
Indicating that developed countries need to change, PM Modi said to address climate change, people not only need to generate clean energy, but also effect a change in lifestyle that makes people "less dependent on energy".
