Paris Climate Change agreement: Impact on India

India to ratify the Paris Climate Change agreement on October 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in a sudden announcement that will give momentum to implementation of measures at international level to control global warming.

During the Paris climate meet in December last, more than 190 nations had agreed on setting ambitious goals for capping global warming and funnelling trillions of dollars to poor countries facing climate catastrophe.

The pact will come into force after it is ratified by at least 55 countries that account for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

By ratifying now, India gets a seat at the 55/55 conference - when 55 countries with 55% emissions ratify the agreement, the countries set up a conference that is to change rules of the game. This is different from earlier days when India has been late to the party, then spent years trying to gain entry.

Its an indicator on how India wants to present itself as a responsible global power, India  has announced it will review the Indus Waters Treaty therefore Paris climate change agreement is important in this regard.

While Western countries, including the US, had been supporting an early ratification of the pact, India had been seeking more time to complete its national processes as it fears that any hasty decision may impact its developmental projects.