The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and The Forum of Environmental Journalists in India (FEJI) held a brainstorming sessions on climate change in New Delhi recently to understand low carbon development in India.

Narain addressing one of the sessions said that there must be an effort to create framework for all to reduce carbon emission. There is a need to struck a deal based on equity and fairness as it was impossible to have effective global deal without equity.

"It is all about cooperation. If the rich emitted yesterday, the emerging rich world will do today and tomorrow. Cooperation demands equity and fairness. Climate change is real and the world needs to cut emissions drastically and urgently. South Asia is most vulnerable and unfortunately poorest - not responsible for climate change - are worst impacted" she said.

She added that India has started witnessing extreme rainfall events, more rain, less rainy days, cloud bursts, unseasonal, variable extreme rain in states like Uttarakhand and Kashmir. There is some trend in mean temperature and impact on crops.

"There is a beginning of some intensification of tropical cyclones/sea surges because of warmer temperatures. If these are not related to climate change, there should be a proper and scientific explanation why these changes are happening" she said.

Narain added, "No one has built a low carbon economy (as yet). Climate change is about sharing growth between nations and between people. The rich must reduce so that the poor can grow".