Source: Afp, New Delhi, :The Daily Star: Internet Edition
India, like other fast-growing emerging nations, must effectively tackle climate change to maintain its strong economic performance, the head of France's international development agency said yesterday.
"Countries which do not take seriously the fight against climate change will be deeply affected in their economic growth," Jean-Michel Severino, chief executive officer of state-run Agence Francaise de Developpement (ADF), said.
India, which contributes around four percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the world's top polluters.
ADF plans to start up its India operations soon with a focus on promoting clean technologies and energy-efficient projects, Severino told reporters in New Delhi.
The two countries hope to sign an agreement authorising the start of the agency's operations shortly during a visit by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to France later this month.
The AFD programme was put on the fast track in January after Singh and visiting French President Nicholas Sarkozy signed the India-France Development Cooperation Agreement.
"We have identified alternative sources of energy such as solar, wind power, biomass and geothermal as areas for possible cooperation," said Severino, who met Shyam Saran, the prime minister's special envoy on climate change issues.
Severino, who was on a two-day visit to the Indian capital, said he was impressed by New Delhi's efforts to fight climate change but added "no government in the world is doing enough against climate change."
AFD, a bilateral development finance institution established in 1941, is looking forward to work in the areas of diversification of energy sources, urban development and forestry and culture, Severino said.
Last weekend, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which controls the sale of nuclear technology, gave the go-ahead to civilian nuclear commerce with India.
The agreement was a key step in sealing an India-US atomic technology accord signed by US President George W. Bush and Singh in 2005.
"India needs a variety of energy solutions and cannot rely on a single source of energy," said Severino.
He called the NSG's decision "good news" and said France hoped nuclear energy would be "part of a vast number of energy sources" for India.
France's state-controlled Areva, the world's biggest manufacturer of nuclear reactors, has been among the global firms jockeying for a slice of India's lucrative civilian nuclear technology market.
India, like other fast-growing emerging nations, must effectively tackle climate change to maintain its strong economic performance, the head of France's international development agency said yesterday.
"Countries which do not take seriously the fight against climate change will be deeply affected in their economic growth," Jean-Michel Severino, chief executive officer of state-run Agence Francaise de Developpement (ADF), said.
India, which contributes around four percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the world's top polluters.
ADF plans to start up its India operations soon with a focus on promoting clean technologies and energy-efficient projects, Severino told reporters in New Delhi.
The two countries hope to sign an agreement authorising the start of the agency's operations shortly during a visit by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to France later this month.
The AFD programme was put on the fast track in January after Singh and visiting French President Nicholas Sarkozy signed the India-France Development Cooperation Agreement.
"We have identified alternative sources of energy such as solar, wind power, biomass and geothermal as areas for possible cooperation," said Severino, who met Shyam Saran, the prime minister's special envoy on climate change issues.
Severino, who was on a two-day visit to the Indian capital, said he was impressed by New Delhi's efforts to fight climate change but added "no government in the world is doing enough against climate change."
AFD, a bilateral development finance institution established in 1941, is looking forward to work in the areas of diversification of energy sources, urban development and forestry and culture, Severino said.
Last weekend, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which controls the sale of nuclear technology, gave the go-ahead to civilian nuclear commerce with India.
The agreement was a key step in sealing an India-US atomic technology accord signed by US President George W. Bush and Singh in 2005.
"India needs a variety of energy solutions and cannot rely on a single source of energy," said Severino.
He called the NSG's decision "good news" and said France hoped nuclear energy would be "part of a vast number of energy sources" for India.
France's state-controlled Areva, the world's biggest manufacturer of nuclear reactors, has been among the global firms jockeying for a slice of India's lucrative civilian nuclear technology market.
