Jairam Ramesh, the Environment Minister, stated that India cannot achieve high economic growth and a rapid increase in carbon emissions, especially now that the country is the third largest emitter after China and the United States. Ramesh made these remarks during the ongoing negotiations in Tianjin, where representatives from almost 200 countries are meeting to discuss the future of the Kyoto Protocol, which is set to expire in 2012. Despite India's low per-capita emissions, the demand for energy is increasing due to the growing middle class purchasing more vehicles, electronics, and better housing. This energy consumption mainly comes from coal, oil, and gas, which are the primary sources of carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change. Ramesh emphasized that India's pursuit of wealth should not harm the environment, stating that the country has now surpassed Russia as the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. He announced plans to transition to a low-carbon growth trajectory, aiming for 8-9 percent GDP growth while reducing carbon emissions. Less wealthy countries are now the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, and many large developing nations are taking measures to limit the increase of their emissions. However, they are hesitant to commit to absolute reductions due to concerns about the impact on their economies. India, which fared better than most during the global financial crisis, has ambitious plans for economic growth, aiming for nearly 10 percent in the coming years. Currently, its economy is growing at around 8.5 percent. Despite being the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, India has been reluctant to embrace a low-carbon economy due to the perceived economic risks involved. In January, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requested a panel to start planning for a more environmentally friendly economy. The report is projected to be completed by the end of the year. While India has introduced a new climate strategy focusing on renewable energy like solar power, coal continues to be the primary source of energy in a country where almost half of the 1.1 billion population lacks access to electricity. Despite the significant gap between high and low emitters, India's Environment Minister Ramesh emphasized the importance of recognizing their contribution to emissions. The UN climate negotiations have faced challenges due to a lack of trust between wealthy and developing nations regarding climate funds, calls for increased transparency in emission reduction commitments, and frustration over the modest cuts offered by wealthier countries. The United Nations has decided to stop encouraging countries to make stronger commitments to reduce carbon emissions out of fear that the ongoing discussions could come to a standstill, potentially disrupting the already difficult negotiations for a more ambitious climate agreement.