June 16: In an effort to persuade developing economies like India and China to draft their national action plan on climate change in a manner that can be included in an international treaty as binding commitments, the chairman of US President George W. Bush’s Council on Environment Quality (CEQ), Mr James L. Connaughton, is in India these days. Clarifying the US’ stand on emission norms by individual countries, Mr Connaughton said it is a "misunderstanding" that the US wants developing economies to set the same goal of GHG emission levels as that of developed economies, adding that goals can only be achieved "if we all work together".

Mr Connaughton, who had a meeting with representatives of the G-8 countries to give final touches to leaders declaration that will be released next month, said the US is moving on the track of controlling emission levels. Preferring a "bottoms-up" approach of controlling greenhouse gases emissions, Mr Connaughton said approaching one sector after another is more likely to be successful in bringing down emission levels. "If we work on a bottoms-up approach and respect each country’s national strategy, then only we can achieve the target at an international level," said Mr Connaughton.

Mr Connaughton reiterated the US’ position that unless all countries — both developed and developing — commit to reduce GHG emissions, targets under the Kyoto Protocol cannot be achieved. He said, "We are seeking from China and India what we offer ourselves." He stressed that there should be an effective system of measurement of progress made by countries in bringing down GHG emissions.

"India needs to define for itself what it’s capable of achieving. The question is of willingness. I’m hopeful because I see a strong commitment from Prime Minister Singh for a more robust strategy," said Mr Connaughton, who met the PM’s special envoy on climate change, Mr Shyam Saran and minister of state for environment and forests N.N. Meena, to seek India’s support on this issue. Mr Connaughton said that the term "international acceptance" on binding norms should be used more cautiously as "we need a common but differentiated measure against climate change".