India to confront climate change

The Indian government has unveiled its plan for confronting the threat of climate change. But presenting the plan, India's Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, made no commitment to cut his country's emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas associated with global warming. This report from Alan Johnston:

Mr Singh acknowledged that climate change could have a catastrophic impact on the earth's environment. And he said that his one-billion people must now set off down a more sustainable path of development.

He spoke of the need for greater energy efficiency and a gradual move away from fossil fuels. Mr Singh said that harnessing the power of the sun would be central to this strategy.

India has no plans to cut its emissions of carbon. But it argues that - per head of population - its emissions are only a fraction of those of the rich nations.