Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan on Saturday received a standing ovation at a climate summit when she asserted the need for developed nations to contribute more towards combating global warming.
In the middle of growing criticism, the environment minister told delegates from 194 countries that India - which is being seen as "deal-breaker" for not agreeing to a legally binding treaty - was
not holding up the climate talks.
Natarajan also made an "emotional appeal" for space for basic development of India's 1.2 billion people and poverty eradication.
India along with US and China is under pressure to accept a legally binding treaty proposed by the European Union, which would be signed by 2015 and come into force by 2020.
CASE STUDY: How GE turned the global warming threat into an opportunity "I was astonished and disturbed by the comments of my colleague from Canada who was pointing at us as to why we are against the roadmap," she said. "I am disturbed to find that a legally binding protocol to the Convention, negotiated just 14 years ago is now being junked in a cavalier manner."
"Countries that had signed and ratified it are walking away without even a polite goodbye," she said. "And yet, pointing at others."
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Tips for converting your house into an eco-friendly one Natarajan's strong words received huge applause and a standing ovation on a day when India was described as a stumbling block to the talks in Durban.
"It is a factual statement, it is an emotional statement," the minister told reporters later.
Natarajan, during her speech, asserted that India was not a major emitter. "I am from India and I represent 1.2 billion people," she said. "My country has a tiny per capita carbon footprint of 1.7 tonne and our per capita GDP is even lower."
As a developing country, "the principles of equity and CBDR (common but differentiated responsibility) are central for us," the minister said.
Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan 
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