New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) The union cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing of the Global Climate Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP-21) held in Paris in 2015.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, who will leave for New York in the evening, will sign the agreement on Friday at the high-level signature ceremony convened by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
"India had advocated a strong and durable climate agreement based on the principles and provisions of the Convention. The Paris Agreement addresses all the important concerns and expectations of India," a government statement said.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP-21 was held in December 2015 in Paris, where 195 countries adopted the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal.
The Agreement also recognizes the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.
The Paris Agreement acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries. It also recognizes the developing countries' right to development and their efforts to harmonize development with environment, while protecting the interests of the most vulnerable.
The Agreement also recognizes the importance of sustainable lifestyles and patterns of consumption with developed countries taking the lead, and notes the importance of 'climate justice' in its preamble. It is due to come into force in 2020.
