IANS

New Delhi, Dec 4: India's proposal to cut its emissions intensity by 20-25 percent by 2020 has put the pressure back on industrialised countries to come up with emission cuts, says international NGO Greenpeace.

Welcoming the proposal announced by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh in parliament, Greenpeace International Climate Policy Director Martin Kaiser said: "This target puts pressure squarely back on industrialised country leaders like Obama, Merkel, Brown and Sarkozy. These leaders have no excuse now to not have ambitious emission reduction targets."

Vinuta Gopal, climate campaign manager, Greenpeace India, said: "These targets are a good, positive step towards quantification of India's action on climate change on the eve of the crucial Copenhagen conference. The Indian administration has shown long-term vision to move on a low-carbon growth path and clearly positioned themselves as moral leaders.

"With these targets, India is taking its fair share of the global effort on climate action -- unlike many key industrialised countries. This finally signals India's readiness to take leadership and be part of the climate solution."

Gopal however added: "Given the urgency and magnitude of the climate change crisis, India needs, and can take stronger and more ambitious measures to tackle the crisis. We hope these targets will be met with action on the ground."