White House Chairman for Council on Environmental Quality James L Connaughton today said India should reduce its tariffs on imports of environmental goods and services below 15 per cent to facilitate the flow of technology.

“India should reduce its tariffs on imports of environmental goods and services from 15 per cent to facilitate the flow of technology,” Connaughton said at a workshop on the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP), organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here.

The US imposes 3-8 per cent tariffs on such imports that are non-negotiable, while the Indian government tariffs are negotiable.

He said new technology is critical for improving efficiencies and reducing green-house gas (GHG) emissions.

APP, a partnership between six countries in the Asia-Pacific Region–US, Australlia, China, Japan, Korea and India–aims at reducing the GHG intensity in member countries.

Speaking on the ocassion, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said APP complements the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCC) and the Kyoto Protocol.

“It is not a forum for negotiations but for interaction between the government and private sectors where the stakeholders can access technology for reducing GHG intensity. APP can influence movement on GHG emission targets,” he said. PTI

Popularity: 1% [?]