"India has emphasised that developed countries should present their ambitious targets for pre-2020 action and roadmaps for the same, well before Paris... It will be ironical that we formulate post- 2020 architecture without finalizing pre-2020 action plan... Ambitious pre-2020 actions of developed countries will create the carbon space required for the developing world, as every poor person has the right to equitable access to the atmospheric resources. ", Javdekar said at the conference.

The minister added that the pre-2020 actions would be an important signal to the world about our commitment on climate change issues. Javdekar pointed out that India is working in the same direction targeting 175 GW of renewable energy and has increased cess on coal to Rs 200 per tonne, using the fund generated for Clean Technologies.

While the Kyoto Protocol has set targets for emission cuts and other mitigation measures until 2015, the developing nations have been emphasizing that developed countries should continue to take enhanced action until 2020 when the next set of targets- depending on the outcome of Paris talks- will come into place.

Javdekar said that the Paris conference will only succeed if the document that comes is not one full of "pious statements" and complicated new ideas but one arrived at with cooperation.

"Paris Conference will have delivered, if all countries demonstrate their will to tackle the problem of climate change frontally. It is not about sharing of blame or finger-pointing, but acting with wisdom, understanding and cooperation... We would like to see a Paris Agreement that is based on Trust, that is balanced and realistic. Let us not create a document full of pious statements. Let us also not complicate it further and bring in newer elements and ideas at this stage. If Paris is to succeed, let us welcome a new beginning where all countries take actions on their own", Javdekar said in his address.

The minister emphasised that India is voluntarily taking measures to check climate change challenges. He listed out measures such as a scheme of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles in India, incentivized afforestation (provided $ 9 billion or $125 per hectare) through the 14th Finance Commission, pitching for 100 smart cities which will be essentially clean and green cities and an ambitious plan of roooftop solar energy program and solar powered agriculture pumps.

"These actions of India, that are voluntary, arise out of our commitment. This must be seen against the backdrop that these actions are from a country which is not mandated under the UNFCCC, and therefore developed world must take ambitious pre-2020 action. India also demands that the Warsaw international mechanism for loss and damage should be operationalised by 2016. This mechanism should provide for specific commitments from developed country parties and Annex II parties to provide support for the financing and operationalization of this mechanism", Prakash Javdekar said at the Petersburg conference.