NEW DELHI, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- New Delhi plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 percent on a voluntary basis in the interest of self-preservation, officials announced.
Jairam Ramesh, the country's environment minister, announced plans in Parliament to reduce carbon emission by at least 20 percent of 2005 levels by 2020, the Economic Times of India reports.
"We are telling the world that India is voluntarily ready to reduce emission intensity by 20-25 percent in 15 years from 2005," he said.
The government stressed it would not embrace a legally binding commitment to reduce its emission levels ahead of a climate summit planned to kick off Monday in Copenhagen, Denmark.
World leaders arrive in Copenhagen on Monday to find a replacement regime for the expiring Kyoto Protocol.
Ramesh said his government was willing to do more to address environmental challenges provided "our concerns are allayed and (an) equitable agreement is reached" at Copenhagen.
The measures for the reduction in emissions include mandatory fuel efficiency standards, though the Times said it was unclear what other steps would be taken.
