Prakash Javadekar: No cap on emissions for the aviation industry

Briefing the media about the ratification of the Paris Agreement yesterday, Human Resource Development Minister, Prakash Javadekar made it clear that India will not cap emissions from the aviation industry.

Criticising the global market-based measure (GMBM) to curb emissions by the aviation industry, Javadekar said that any such cap on India’s growing aviation industry is “unjust.”

This decision to ratify the agreement was approved by a Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yesterday. The documents regarding this will be delivered to the United Nations on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Javadekar said that even though it falls on Sunday this year, the UN would stay open just to accept this instrument. We hope you’re feeling suitably patriotic and proud.

GMBM aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to keep the global warming levels below 2 degree Celsius.

As an alternative, Javadekar said the government is working on various other sectoral targets as well as improving fuel efficiency for the aviation industry to keep a check on India’s emission levels.
Air travel and shipping together result in five per cent of global emissions. However, this is projected to rise up to 30 per cent by 2050.