Paris Deal: Environment Min Finally Responds to Trump’s Jibe

Trump’s claim that India drew billions in foreign aid under the Paris deal is incorrect, says Harsh Vardhan.

(Photo: The Quint)

US President Donald Trump fell short of saying India was hoodwinking “billions and billions and billions of dollars” from the Paris climate accord while he announced the country’s withdrawal from the deal on 1 June.

India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries. There are many other examples. But the bottom line is that the Paris accord is very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States.

Donald Trump, President, US

And after more-than-a-month of India keeping mum, the silence was broken by the Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, who finally responded to Trump’s remarks.

In a written response to the Rajya Sabha on queries raised about the Paris Accord, Vardhan responded to Trump who had said the “draconian" deal unfairly punished America but benefited countries such as India and China.

Challenging Trump’s comment in a written response to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Harsh Vardhan said the statement is factually incorrect as most of India’s climate actions are funded from domestic sources.

The minister said the United States’ withdrawal was part of the US government’s domestic policy. He also added, “Media reports indicate that the present US government does not believe in occurrence of climate change.”

Vardhan said the impact of US’ withdrawal would be felt strongly in achieving targets and in funding.

US is the second-largest greenhouse gas emitter presently. However, if cumulative historical emissions are counted, US would be largest GHG emitter historically. So, its withdrawal will affect control of emissions and the international funds to fight climate change.

Harsh Vardhan, Environment Minister