President, Unilever foods division
India must be concerned about climate change as it will be impacted adversely in multiple ways. But also because it will add to the problem as it steps up its pace of growth and builds new power plants to fuel the voracious needs of this developing nation. So what can it do? It can learn from the mistakes of the developed world who have largely ignored this problem for too long! And start early. The Indian government must join hands with Indian industry to evolve a strategy and action plan. This could focus on improving carbon efficiency in the immediate and medium term.To do this it will need help in the form of appropriate knowledge and technology; it is in the interest of the developed world to ensure that we have economically viable access to this technology. I am very concerned at the growing move to Biofuels as the solution. This is because it will use edible oils to replace petrol. This will have a very detrimental impact on food prices especially for those that can barely afford it! Put another way we will be using FOOD TO FUEL CARS! I would therefore wish that the developed world takes equally urgent steps to curb consumption in the immediate term - rather than resort to alternate fuels - because the first generation Biofuels will fuel food prices in a world where millions are still hungry.
