New Delhi, February 17
India today lodged a strong protest with the UN for including absolute cuts in CO₂ emissions and reduction in the use of ozone depleting substances among the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in a new assessment report launched here today.

The report titled “Accelerating Equitable Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals: Closing Gaps in Health and Nutrition Outcomes”, published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Asian Development Bank lists absolute carbon emission cuts and reduced use of ozone-depleting substances as part of MDG number 7 relating to environmental sustainability.

The very first table slams India and China for making “no progress or regressing” on cutting their carbon emissions-all this when carbon emission reduction or reduction in the use of ozone-depleting substances has never been part of the Millennium Development Goals. Moreover, the developing countries led by India and China have not agreed to absolute cuts in carbon emissions and that’s the real issue of debate in the ongoing climate change talks.

“I am shocked to see this report. The first table lists absolute cuts in carbon emission and reduced use of ozone-depleting substances as part of MDG number 7 which relates to environmental sustainability. This is a very serious conceptual, intellectual and analytical flaw and the authors must make a change because absolute carbon emission cuts and reduction in the consumption of ozone-depleting substances have never been part of any MDG,” Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said, taking the UN officials at the gathering by surprise.