New Delhi, Oct. 24 -- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday criticised the European Union's contribution to carbon emissions, arguing that India, which accounts for 17% of the world's population, has contributed less than three per cent to global carbon emissions.

Addressing the Berlin Global Dialogue, Goyal said, "Who's responsible for this mess in the first place? Where did the ozone layer get damaged? Who sent all that carbon into the atmosphere?... I represent 17% of the world's population, but my contribution to global carbon emissions is less than 3%. You (Europe) represent probably 3% or 4% of the world's population, yet your contribution to those carbon emissions-or this mess-is humongous."

Goyal went on to say, "The proble...