The Union Cabinet decided to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which calls for time-bound reduction of greenhouse gases, which are responsible for global climatic changes.

New Delhi's decision to ratify the international environmental treaty, which had been opened for signing in 1997, is to dress up for the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg later this month. India is also hosting the eighth Conference of Parties (COP-8) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in October this year. The treaty calls for time-bound reduction in carbon emissions, chiefly from fossil fuel burning, by an average of 5.2 per cent below that in 1990 by 2012. Industrialized countries have taken up the commitments to reduce their carbon pollution in the quantum and time agreed upon by the international community.

India is not required to take on reduction commitments right away. The ratification, however, is perceived by the international community as a commitment to the cause of environment and sustainable development. Environmental leadership across the globe is encouraging world capitals to ratify the international treaty as a face-saver at Johannesburg.

The Kyoto Protocol, considered as a landmark in international environmental negotiation, has so far been signed by 77 countries. World leaders are persuading many more countries to join in the run up to the Johannesburg Summit. The protocol seeks to decelerate the climate changes already evident in sea-level rise, changed agricultural yield and adaptability of bio-diversity.

It is another matter that most industrialized countries are either falling behind their reduction target or some like the United States are brazenly walking out of the treaty that imposes strict carbon-control programmes.

To be effective, the protocol has to be ratified by countries that account for at least 55 per cent of the 1990 emissions. The US is responsible for a quarter of this pollution. Together with its allies Canada and Australia, it accounts for 41.5 per cent of the total emissions in 1990.

So unless big economies like Japan and Australia participate, the treaty will remain ineffective. The European Union has also signed the protocol to flash to the world its green credentials. Russia also holds the key to making the treaty work by joining the agreement. So far the countries that have already signed up account for only over one-third of the 1990 emissions level.

India, by virtue of little industrial development at the time prior to 1990, has not contributed to the global warming problem. It sees in the treaty an equitable right to grow that is not restrain carbon emission now and stifle economic growth, and asking the industrialized country to pay-up for the historical emissions. The industrialized countries are responsible for using most of the resources of the planet and contributing to the global warming problem. Indian businesses, however, are showing keen interest at the prospect of joint implementation of carbon reduction programmes with the industrialized countries. The view that this route will bring in technology and financial resources to clean Indian industry without mortgaging the rights of the future generations, is a topic of heated debate.

The step to ratify the protocol by is laudable, but a mere dress-up. India will have to stand-up to brow-beating by industrialized countries at the forthcoming negotiations.