India's rapid economic growth has hugely increased its emissions

By Sanjoy Majumder

BBC News, Delhi



India's greenhouse gas emissions will more than triple over the next two decades, a report has projected.

But the document, compiled by experts for the government, also says India's per-capita emissions will be much lower than major industrialised countries.

The report will form the basis of India's negotiating position at a UN climate change conference in December.

India, like China, has refused to commit to cuts until developed nations also pledge to meet targets.

According to the report, India's greenhouse gas emissions will rise from about 1.2bn tonnes at present to between 4bn and 7bn by 2030.

'Modest' increases

Releasing the document, India's environment minister Jairam Ramesh said it demonstrated his country's seriousness towards climate change.

At the same time he argued that the world should not worry about the threat posed by India's carbon emissions, since its per-capita emissions would never exceed that of developed countries.

The report, which was prepared by several Indian independent institutions, will form the basis of India's negotiations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.

It says that the country's greenhouse gas emissions will increase over the next two decades but at a modest level.

At present India accounts for about 5% of global carbon emissions. China, the US and Russia are placed higher.

There is growing international pressure on India to sign up to emission cuts at the December summit, something which it is refusing to do.