India
From ClimateWiki
Various countries across the globe are claiming that their environments and economies are being negatively affected by climate change – India is no exception. The following is a detailed description of climate change in India.
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How India Will Be Affected
India maintains close economic ties to natural resources and climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, water and forestry. Therefore, climate change in India poses a major threat. As a developing country, India can little afford the risks and economic backlashes that industrialized nations can. With 27.5% of the population still below the poverty line, reducing vulnerability to the impacts of climate change is essential. Therefore, India claims that it is in the country’s best interest to move toward a world that has a low carbon future. With changes in key climate variables, namely temperature, precipitation and humidity, crucial sectors like agriculture and rural development are likely to be affected in a major way.
Current Issues Due to Climate Change
Impacts are already being seen as unprecedented heat waves, cyclones, and floods are occurring in India. Additionally, salinisation of the coastline and effects on agriculture, fisheries and health are prominent.
Projected Future Impact
The future impacts of climate change, identified by the Government of India’s National Communications (NATCOM) in 2004 include:
Decreased snow cover, affecting snow-fed and glacial systems such as the Ganges and Bramhaputra. 70% of the summer flow of the Ganges comes from meltwater
Erratic monsoon with serious effects on rain-fed agriculture, peninsular rivers, water and power supply
Drop in wheat production by 4-5 million tones, with even a 1ºC rise in temperature
Rising sea levels causing displacement along one of the most densely populated coastlines in the world, threatened freshwater sources and mangrove ecosystems
Increased frequency and intensity of floods. Increased vulnerability of people in coastal, arid and semi-arid zones of the country
Studies indicate that over 50% of India’s forests are likely to experience shift in forest types, adversely impacting associated biodiversity, regional climate dynamics as well as livelihoods based on forest products.
Emissions
Although not an emitter historically, India currently has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. With a government target of 8% GDP to achieve developmental priorities16, a share of one sixth of the global population, and changing consumption patterns, India’s emissions are set to increase dramatically. Growing at an almost breakneck pace, and guzzling coal, gas and oil in large quantities4, India is the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases worldwide. The most recent IPCC report suggests that India will experience the greatest increase in energy and greenhouse gas emissions in the world if it sustains a high annual economic growth rate.
The International Energy Agency predicts that India will become the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases by as early as 2015. India imports large quantities of fossil fuels to meet its energy needs, and the burning of fossil fuels alone accounts for 83% of India’s carbon dioxide emissions. Nearly 70% of our electricity supply comes from coal.
Strategies to Curb Effects
In June 2008, the Prime minister released the much awaited National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). The NAPCC outlines a strategy by which India will adapt to climate change, while maintaining a high growth rate, protecting poor and vulnerable sections of society and achieving national growth objectives. It focuses on eight areas intended to deliver maximal benefits to development and climate change (mitigation and adaptation). However, detailed action plans for each mission, and any clear targets are missing from the report.
Additionally, despite this plan, under the UNFCCC agreement itself, India is not subject to any binding emission reduction targets until the year 2012.
References
"How Climate Change Affects India." India Climate Portal. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. <http://www.indiaclimateportal.org/how-climate-change-affects-india>. IPCC report 2007 Stern Review
Design to Win
Imagining India: Nandan Nilekani
nasa.gov
Earth Policy Insitute
International Energy Agency
Malini Mehra. India Starts to take on Climate Change.
Public information bureau
envfor.nic.in
Pew Environment Trust
United Nations
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The Nature Conservancy
National Action Plan on Climate Change
Sharma S., Bhattacharya S. and A. Garg. Greenhouse gas emissions from India: a perspective. Current Science Vol 90, No. 3, p 326-333.
KMPG report
Climate 101: Pew centre report on Climate change
Nasa Earth observatory report
Meteorological Office, UK.
Royal Society
Jacob Rukvitz; 2008; Climate entrepreneurs, GlobalFOCUS
State of the World report 2009
The Road to Copenhagen: India’s position on climate change issues
Climate Change and India: Impacts, Policy Responses and a Framework for EU-India Cooperation. 2008. Policy Department Economic and Scientific Policy, European Parliament
