Global Warming: Looking Beyond Kyoto

13. India and Climate Change: Mitigation, Adaptation, and a Way Forward

The problem of climate change poses challenging issues to almost all countries , and India is no exception. Along with global problems like ocean pollution and species extinction, and local problems such as pollution of air and water as well as the degradation of soil and forests, the problem of climate change has to be addressed in the context of sustainable development. Development activities and poverty alleviation programs also increase emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) recognized the need for the development of developing nations while expecting contributions from all signatory nations. Given that 75 percent of global GHG emissions were emitted by the 25 percent of the world’s population who live in developed countries (these are listed in UNFCCC Annex I and hence called Annex I countries), the UNFCCC required the developed countries to lead the efforts to reduce GHG emissions.1 Developing countries were exempt from any commitment to reduce emissions but were asked to do their best. Since then, emissions of developing countries, which have risen, now pose challenges and cause concern. One should not lose the perspective that accumulated emissions, and not annual emissions, should India and Climate Change: Mitigation, Adaptation, and a Way Forward jyoti parikh 13 205 I am grateful to Ayan Pujari for his valuable assistance in completing this chapter. I cherish my time at Yale University and thank Professor Ernesto Zedillo for his invitation to write this chapter and Haynie Wheeler for her help. 10865-14_PT6-CH13_rev.qxd 12/10/07 11:44 AM Page 205 be the criterion for reductions in the near term of twenty years—because, once emitted, greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere for centuries. The 1997 the Kyoto Protocol brought developing countries closer to the ambit of GHG reduction by making it attractive for them to reduce emissions by providing carbon credits under the proposal of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Each year, numerous training programs, workshops, and consultations take place involving Annex I states, non–Annex I states, policymakers , experts from public and private sectors, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and academic organizations. The discussion in this chapter covers the following: —India’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions, —The problems of India’s adaptation to climate change, —Future scenarios on India’s GHG emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), —Suggestions for resolving the impasse about developing countries’ participation in the UNFCCC Framework, —Concluding remarks. India’s Efforts to Reduce GHG Emissions India has been trying to reduce emissions through various measures: —Emphasis on energy conservation, —Promotion of renewable energy, —Abatement of air pollution, —Afforestation and wasteland development, —Economic reforms, —Fuel substitution policies, —Recycling. Energy conservation has been emphasized for many decades to conserve scarce resources as well as to reduce GHG emissions. The scarcity of resources, lack of capital for new projects, scarcity of nonrenewable fossil fuels, increased oil imports, and the concern about air pollution are the important factors behind India’s energy conservation. To fill the gap in energy supply, renewable energy sources are being promoted. A number of organizations have been set up in India to handle these problems . Its Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) aims to explore oil sources and raise production as well as reduce oil imports. India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is set up for training and research in alternative energy sources and the implementation of standards. Moreover, its Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has been entrusted to take care of supply-side efficiency. Additionally , policies are in place to address the following: —Promotion of renewable energy: to make energy conservation effective, renewable sources serve as potential alternatives. India is working to promote its 206 jyoti parikh 10865-14_PT6-CH13_rev.qxd 12/10/07 11:44 AM Page 206 renewable sources. This can help to avoid emissions of greenhouse gases and, hence, the adverse effects of climate change. —Abatement of air pollution: several policies have been formulated for air pollution abatement. Most of these measures either avoid or reduce emissions. The main polluters (industries, the transport sector) have been directed to control their pollutants. Several technologies have been provided to check pollution . The introduction of compressed natural gas engines shows that there has been improvement in technology as well as in fuel substitution. The following efforts can check pollution to a great extent: —Recycling: resource conservation through reusing or recycling such items as clothing, furniture, paper, and bottles can contribute considerably...