GUWAHATI: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has questioned Europe’s responsibility for climate change, citing historical carbon emissions and the burden of environmental regulations on developing economies.
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Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue on Thursday, October 22, Goyal argued that India, which accounts for around 17% of the world’s population, contributes only about 3–3.5% of global carbon emissions. He contrasted India’s relatively low per-capita emissions with those of developed economies and questioned whether Europe’s climate policies adequately account for historical emissions and the development needs of countries such as India.
“Who's responsible for this mess in the first place? Where did the ozone layer get damaged? Who sent all that carbon into the atmosphere?” Goyal said during a roundtable at the Berlin Global Dialogue.
The minister also highlighted the difference in per-capita emissions between Europe and India.
“Even today, Europe's per capita contribution to carbon emissions- and its per capita environmental impact- is probably seven or eight times that of India,” he said.
“I represent 17% of the world's population, but my contribution to carbon emissions is less than 3%. You (Europe) represent probably 3% or 4% of the world's population, yet your contribution to those carbon emissions- or this mess- is humongous. The problem was caused by you,” Goyal added.
Goyal's remarks come amid disagreements over climate finance commitments made by developed countries to help developing nations address climate change and reduce emissions.
Recalling the 2015 Paris climate conference, Goyal said developed countries had agreed to bear a greater share of the costs of tackling climate change and support developing and less-developed countries, including vulnerable island nations.
“It was agreed that the developed countries, who have enjoyed the fruits of messing up the climate for so many decades, will pay a greater price, and will support the developing and less developed countries, as well as island nations in the Pacific and the Caribbean… Just $100 billion a year. That was the commitment,” he said.
Criticising the implementation of the pledge, Goyal said, “Eleven years later, we haven't seen a nickel or a dime of that. It's all promises.”
The annual climate finance goal of $100 billion was first agreed upon by developed countries at the 2009 United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen, with the target set for 2020. The commitment was subsequently extended through 2025 under the Paris Agreement.
Goyal also criticised the European Union's approach to climate finance and its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which imposes carbon-related costs on certain imports.
“They have failed to respond adequately to the needs of less-developed countries or support them in their decarbonisation efforts,” he said.
Goyal is visiting Germany and the Netherlands from October 22 to 27, leading a delegation of around 100 businesses and startups to strengthen trade and investment ties. The visit aims to explore new business opportunities and expand industrial and technological cooperation, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Wednesday.
