Make India special in climate fight

IN the global climate war, India plays a consequential role. The world's fourth-largest emitter will see a whopping increase in greenhouse gas emissions as its economy gains further momentum.

Such a prospect is raising global disquiet, even though India's carbon dioxide emissions per head at 1.7 tonnes is well below the world average of four tonnes.

India and China, whose population makes up 40 per cent of the world, will come under greater scrutiny if a binding, universal climate plan is adopted in Paris. But China has become the top world economy unfettered by climate checks and is better equipped to cut its 28 per cent share of global emissions and even to aid poor nations' climate efforts. Beijing has pledged US$3.1 billion towards setting up a fund.