Finance Minister Stresses 'Polluter Pays' Principle and Differentiated Responsibility at Munich Security Conference
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman advocated for the 'polluter pays' principle to mitigate climate change. She called for 'differentiated responsibility' among nations, emphasizing that advanced economies with historical emissions must contribute more to climate funding. Sitharaman highlighted that countries with lower emissions should not be forced to pay equally. She also urged for strong technological cooperation on a commercial basis and stressed the importance of resilience and adaptation alongside emissions control. The Minister noted India's increased GDP spending on climate action despite global challenges and the withdrawal of some nations from climate agreements.
Key Points
- The 'polluter pays' principle suggests that those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it.
- Differentiated responsibility acknowledges that developed nations have a greater historical role in global warming.
- India is focusing on both emissions control and resilience/adaptation to protect human lives and livestock.
- The Minister called for the sharing of green technologies on a commercial basis rather than waiting for grants.
Exam Facts
- Event: Munich Security Conference.
- Green India mission funding increase: from ₹95.7 crore (2025-26) to ₹212.5 crore (2026-27).
- Pollution control allocation for 2026-27: ₹212.5 crore.
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