Mumbai, Jan 6: Supporting India's quest for nuclear power, United Nations climate panel's chief R K Pachauri, has said that country should pursue it to contain emission and meet energy needs.

"Nuclear power in my mind will have a place in overall scheme of things. Firstly, it is a clean energy, as it does not emit any green house gases. Secondly, to certain extent, it would offset the pressure on fossil fuel," Pachauri, chairman, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said.

In next one decade, you will not get a major chunk of energy from Nuclear power. Only six to seven percent of energy need would be met.

But you are laying the foundation of a much larger share of nuclear energy.

"I am not saying that nuclear is without any problems. Ensuring the safeguards of handling nuclear energy, the government must pursue with it as we have very serious shortage of national resources in this country like coal and hydrocarbons," he said.

"Therefore, nuclear power provides an opportunity to enhance energy sources and cut pollution levels. The government also understands this," Pachauri said.

On the issue of reducing emission to control climate change, Pachauri said that though India should not shy away from its responsibility of cutting emission, the onus lay on the developed countries to start the process.

"This is an issue, based on common but differentiated responsibility. India cannot be expected to commit to reduce emissions. It has to be first done by the developed nations," he said.

IPCC led by Pachauri last year won the Nobel Peace Prize for sounding the alarm over global warming and spreading awareness on how to counteract it. (ANI)