Date:16/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/10/16/stories/2007101650941000.htm

Back Developing countries need to devise own energy technologies: Pachauri

‘India, China should come forward and forge alliances to harness energy sources’

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Oct. 15 Countries such as India and China need to come forward to devise their own technologies for the energy sector rather than looking up to the developed nations, Dr R.K. Pachauri, Chief of UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said on Monday.

In his first public appearance after the IPPC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr Pachauri said that there is a clear line of distinction between the energy needs of developing countries and the developed ones.

“We have to devise new technology customised for needs of our own people... nobody else will do it. It is in our own interest to do it,” he said here at a conference on Climate Change and Sustainable Development organised by Assocham.

Global warming

He also urged the major industrial houses of the countries to get involved to meet the challenges of global warming. Mr Pachauri also criticised the energy consumption patterns of developed countries and warned the South Asian region to take preventive measures to avoid and mitigating impact of climate change.

“Glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. There is going to be huge water scarcity, with India and China suffering the worst. We need to prepare for the eventualities,” he said.

“Sustainable economic development would be possible in South-East Asian region. India and China should come forward and forge alliances to harness energy sources,” he added.

Dr Pachuari also argued against the subsidies being doled out by the various Governments in the power sector aimed at farmers. “Electricity has to be priced at rational level if we want to protect our future,” he said.