News Analysis India

Tag: climate change

  • ISRO Satellite Images Unveil Concerning Expansion of Himalayan Glacial Lake |

    New Delhi: The latest satellite images shared by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)have raised concern globally as it show a significant expansion of the glacial lakes in the Himalayas in the past 3 to 4 decades. According to ISRO’s data, over 600 lakes which amount to 89% of the total glacial lakes on the Himalayas have grown over twice their size in the past 30- 40 years.

    Long-term changes in the Ghepang Ghat glacial lake (Indus River Basin) at an elevation of 4,068 m in Himachal Pradesh, India, show a 178 per cent increase in size from 36.49 to 101.30 hectares between 1989 and 2022. The rate of increase is about 1.96 hectares per year.


    Long-term satellite imagery covering the catchments of Indian Himalayan river basins from 1984 to 2023 indicates significant changes in glacial lakes. Of the 2,431 lakes larger than 10 hectares identified during 2016-17, 676 glacial lakes have notably expanded since 1984. Specifically, 130 of these lakes are situated within India, with 65, 7, and 58 lakes located in the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra River basins, respectively, the statement read.

    The Himalayan Mountains are often referred to as the Third Pole because of their extensive glaciers and snow cover. They are considered highly sensitive to changes in the global climate, both in terms of their physical characteristics and their societal impacts.

    Research conducted worldwide has consistently shown that glaciers across the globe have been experiencing unprecedented rates of retreat and thinning since the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the eighteenth century.

    This retreat leads to the formation of new lakes and the enlargement of existing ones in the Himalayan region. These bodies of water, created by the melting of glaciers, are known as glacial lakes and play a crucial role as freshwater sources for rivers in the Himalayan region.

    However, they also pose significant risks, such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), which can have devastating consequences for communities downstream. GLOFs occur when glacial lakes release large volumes of meltwater due to the failure of natural dams, such as those made of moraine or ice, resulting in sudden and severe flooding downstream, ISRO further stated.

    These dam failures can be triggered by various factors, including avalanches of ice or rock, extreme weather events, and other environmental factors. Monitoring and studying the occurrence and expansion of glacial lakes in the Himalayan region is considered challenging due to the inaccessible and rugged terrain.

    Satellite remote sensing technology proves to be an excellent tool for inventory and monitoring due to its wide coverage and revisit capability, the ISRO stated, adding that assessing long-term changes in glacial lakes is crucial for understanding glacier retreat rates, assessing GLOF risks, and gaining insights into climate change impacts.

    Elevation-based analysis further reveals that 314 lakes are located in the 4,000 to 5,000 m range and 296 lakes are above 5,000 m elevation. The glacial lakes are categorized based on their formation process into four broad categories, namely Moraine-dammed (water dammed by moraine), Ice-dammed (water dammed by ice), Erosion (water dammed in depressions formed by erosion), and other glacial lakes. Among the 676 expanding lakes, the majority of them are Moraine-dammed (307) followed by Erosion (265), other (96), and Ice-dammed (8) glacial lakes, respectively, the release further stated.

    Satellite-derived long-term change analyses provide valuable insights for understanding glacial lake dynamics, which are essential for assessing environmental impacts and developing strategies for GLOF risk management and climate change adaptation in glacial environments, it added. 

  • India slams rich nations’ climate inaction; calls for focus on pre-2020 gaps, equity in Global Stocktake

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India has said that the first-ever Global Stocktake outcome should prioritise addressing pre-2020 gaps, capture equity as an overarching concern and acknowledge the serious lack of ambition among developed nations in combating climate change.

    Global Stocktake is a two-year UN review to evaluate collective global progress towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

    This process will conclude at the end of COP28 in Dubai.

    In a submission to the UNFCCC outlining its expectations from the Global Stocktake, India emphasised that the outcome should encourage developed nations to reduce their emissions in alignment with their historical responsibilities and provide support to developing countries in terms of finance, technology development and transfer, and capacity building.

    The Global Stocktake outcome must promote global climate action within the context of poverty eradication, sustainable development, economic diversification efforts, and closing gaps in social and economic development between developed and developing countries, India emphasised.

    It stressed that the First Global Stocktake outcome should not exclusively focus on future mitigation while disregarding “historical responsibility and pre-2020 emissions.

    ” “Pre-2020 is the foundation upon which climate action must be built, and as such, pre-2020 gaps should be addressed as a matter of priority with a view to advancing long-term climate action and protecting the integrity of the Paris Agreement.

    “It is an iterative process. There is a need to reaffirm the objectives, principles, and provisions of the Convention, in particular the principles of equity and CBDR-RC, keeping in view the process of enhanced action in the Pre-2020 period,” it said.

    The principle of equity ensures that countries’ efforts to combat climate change are viewed in light of their contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, both historically and currently, as well as the likely future emissions they will generate.

    The CBDR-RC principle recognises that each country bears responsibility for addressing climate change, but developed countries should shoulder primary responsibilities, given their significant historical and current greenhouse gas emissions.

    India also made it clear that it does not support any other classification of developing countries, such as “major emitters”, “G20 partners”, and “other developing and emerging economies”, as these classifications overlook national circumstances and replace considerations of “equity and CBDR-RC” in terms of climate actions.

    India argued that the Global Stocktake outcome must acknowledge the significant lack of ambition among Annex-I parties, evident from the gaps in the Pre-Paris era regarding mitigation and its implications for the mitigation burden after 2020.

    It should also provide “science-based information” on whether Annex-I countries are on a low-carbon and climate-resilient pathway or if they require course correction.

    “For instance, have Annex-I countries invested in low-carbon and low-emissions development technologies?” India questioned.

    India highlighted that the large volume of historical emissions by Annex -I Parties, beyond their equitable share in cumulative emissions by any measure, cannot be ignored.

    Climate change is measured in terms of cumulative historical emissions from 1850 to the present day.

    The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is estimated to be 415 parts per million and global temperatures have already risen 1.1 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels.

    “However, all countries have not contributed to this rise,” India said.

    The Paris Agreement recognises that developed countries most responsible for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must support developing countries in line with their historical responsibility.

    Countries of the global north are responsible for the largest percentage of cumulative overshoot in emissions historically, it said.

    The UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) placed responsibility on developed and developing countries for actions on the basis of historical emissions and the principles of equity and CBDR-RC (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities).

    “The Convention mandates developed countries to support climate change actions in developing countries taking into account their historical and current contribution to the stock of GHGs in the atmosphere,” it explained.

    India argued that equal sharing of the mitigation burden between developed and developing countries is unfair and inequitable when accounting for their respective responsibilities for atmospheric GHG concentrations.

    It is unfair for those who have contributed the most to the problem not to contribute more to the solution than those whose contribution is much smaller.

    Similarly, in the face of a problem demanding a collective solution, it would be unfair to expect those with fewer resources to commit a higher share to the solution of the problem.

    “Since the developed countries lead in their current and historical levels of energy consumption and emissions, they must also lead in their efforts in addressing issues arising from and pertaining to climate change. The GST (Global Stocktake) outcome must reflect greater detailing of this issue in particular,” India said.

    A technical report on the Global Stocktake published by the UNFCCC earlier this month noted with concern that the world is way off the track to meet the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.

    The report underscored the need for climate action to be rooted in justice and equity, saying that the burden of climate impacts falls disproportionately on developing countries, making equity a central concern.

    It said that climate finance remains a central enabler for climate action, particularly in developing countries.

    NEW DELHI: India has said that the first-ever Global Stocktake outcome should prioritise addressing pre-2020 gaps, capture equity as an overarching concern and acknowledge the serious lack of ambition among developed nations in combating climate change.

    Global Stocktake is a two-year UN review to evaluate collective global progress towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

    This process will conclude at the end of COP28 in Dubai.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    In a submission to the UNFCCC outlining its expectations from the Global Stocktake, India emphasised that the outcome should encourage developed nations to reduce their emissions in alignment with their historical responsibilities and provide support to developing countries in terms of finance, technology development and transfer, and capacity building.

    The Global Stocktake outcome must promote global climate action within the context of poverty eradication, sustainable development, economic diversification efforts, and closing gaps in social and economic development between developed and developing countries, India emphasised.

    It stressed that the First Global Stocktake outcome should not exclusively focus on future mitigation while disregarding “historical responsibility and pre-2020 emissions.

    ” “Pre-2020 is the foundation upon which climate action must be built, and as such, pre-2020 gaps should be addressed as a matter of priority with a view to advancing long-term climate action and protecting the integrity of the Paris Agreement.

    “It is an iterative process. There is a need to reaffirm the objectives, principles, and provisions of the Convention, in particular the principles of equity and CBDR-RC, keeping in view the process of enhanced action in the Pre-2020 period,” it said.

    The principle of equity ensures that countries’ efforts to combat climate change are viewed in light of their contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, both historically and currently, as well as the likely future emissions they will generate.

    The CBDR-RC principle recognises that each country bears responsibility for addressing climate change, but developed countries should shoulder primary responsibilities, given their significant historical and current greenhouse gas emissions.

    India also made it clear that it does not support any other classification of developing countries, such as “major emitters”, “G20 partners”, and “other developing and emerging economies”, as these classifications overlook national circumstances and replace considerations of “equity and CBDR-RC” in terms of climate actions.

    India argued that the Global Stocktake outcome must acknowledge the significant lack of ambition among Annex-I parties, evident from the gaps in the Pre-Paris era regarding mitigation and its implications for the mitigation burden after 2020.

    It should also provide “science-based information” on whether Annex-I countries are on a low-carbon and climate-resilient pathway or if they require course correction.

    “For instance, have Annex-I countries invested in low-carbon and low-emissions development technologies?” India questioned.

    India highlighted that the large volume of historical emissions by Annex -I Parties, beyond their equitable share in cumulative emissions by any measure, cannot be ignored.

    Climate change is measured in terms of cumulative historical emissions from 1850 to the present day.

    The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is estimated to be 415 parts per million and global temperatures have already risen 1.1 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels.

    “However, all countries have not contributed to this rise,” India said.

    The Paris Agreement recognises that developed countries most responsible for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must support developing countries in line with their historical responsibility.

    Countries of the global north are responsible for the largest percentage of cumulative overshoot in emissions historically, it said.

    The UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) placed responsibility on developed and developing countries for actions on the basis of historical emissions and the principles of equity and CBDR-RC (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities).

    “The Convention mandates developed countries to support climate change actions in developing countries taking into account their historical and current contribution to the stock of GHGs in the atmosphere,” it explained.

    India argued that equal sharing of the mitigation burden between developed and developing countries is unfair and inequitable when accounting for their respective responsibilities for atmospheric GHG concentrations.

    It is unfair for those who have contributed the most to the problem not to contribute more to the solution than those whose contribution is much smaller.

    Similarly, in the face of a problem demanding a collective solution, it would be unfair to expect those with fewer resources to commit a higher share to the solution of the problem.

    “Since the developed countries lead in their current and historical levels of energy consumption and emissions, they must also lead in their efforts in addressing issues arising from and pertaining to climate change. The GST (Global Stocktake) outcome must reflect greater detailing of this issue in particular,” India said.

    A technical report on the Global Stocktake published by the UNFCCC earlier this month noted with concern that the world is way off the track to meet the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.

    The report underscored the need for climate action to be rooted in justice and equity, saying that the burden of climate impacts falls disproportionately on developing countries, making equity a central concern.

    It said that climate finance remains a central enabler for climate action, particularly in developing countries.

  • Toolkit case: Delhi HC dismisses Disha Ravi’s plea to modify bail condition

    By PTI

    New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea by climate activist Disha Ravi, who is facing prosecution for her alleged involvement in sharing a toolkit backing the farmers’ protest in 2021, seeking modification the bail condition where she needs prior permission of the trial court before travelling abroad.

    Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said there is no ground for interference with the trial court’s order.

    Ravi’s counsel had urged the high court to modify the condition to the extent that she shall intimate the trial court before going abroad.

    The detailed order will be made available later.

    The high court had on August 21 reserved its order on the plea.

    Ravi was arrested by the Delhi Police on February 13, 2021, for allegedly being involved in sharing on social media a toolkit related to the farmers’ protest, which was then going on against the Centre’s three farm laws, and was granted bail by a trial court here on February 23, 2021.

    The trial court had imposed various conditions on her, including that she shall not leave the country without prior permission of the court.

    Ravi, in her plea before the high court, has sought modification of the bail condition that she should take prior permission from the trial court to travel abroad.

    “I need to travel abroad frequently and on short notice. I have already travelled abroad three times after passing of the bail order and even an LOC has been issued against me. The bail condition of taking prior permission of the trial court is causing me inconvenience. I have not violated any of the bail conditions,” Ravi’s counsel had argued on her behalf.

    However, the state’s counsel had opposed the plea, saying that merely because the condition is found inconvenient by her, it cannot be a ground for modification.

    Ravi has challenged a trial court’s August 9 order by which her plea to modify the bail condition was dismissed.

    The trial court judge had said, “The investigating agency has explained that the offences being investigated involve suspected persons who are based in several foreign countries and the investigating agency is in the process of collecting important evidence in respect of these suspects from the relevant agencies and intermediaries.

    “Hence I am also of the opinion that the modification of condition(as sought) at this stage would be detrimental for the investigation.”

    Ravi was arrested from Bengaluru on February 13, 2021 by a Cyber Cell team of Delhi Police.

    New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea by climate activist Disha Ravi, who is facing prosecution for her alleged involvement in sharing a toolkit backing the farmers’ protest in 2021, seeking modification the bail condition where she needs prior permission of the trial court before travelling abroad.

    Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said there is no ground for interference with the trial court’s order.

    Ravi’s counsel had urged the high court to modify the condition to the extent that she shall intimate the trial court before going abroad.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    The detailed order will be made available later.

    The high court had on August 21 reserved its order on the plea.

    Ravi was arrested by the Delhi Police on February 13, 2021, for allegedly being involved in sharing on social media a toolkit related to the farmers’ protest, which was then going on against the Centre’s three farm laws, and was granted bail by a trial court here on February 23, 2021.

    The trial court had imposed various conditions on her, including that she shall not leave the country without prior permission of the court.

    Ravi, in her plea before the high court, has sought modification of the bail condition that she should take prior permission from the trial court to travel abroad.

    “I need to travel abroad frequently and on short notice. I have already travelled abroad three times after passing of the bail order and even an LOC has been issued against me. The bail condition of taking prior permission of the trial court is causing me inconvenience. I have not violated any of the bail conditions,” Ravi’s counsel had argued on her behalf.

    However, the state’s counsel had opposed the plea, saying that merely because the condition is found inconvenient by her, it cannot be a ground for modification.

    Ravi has challenged a trial court’s August 9 order by which her plea to modify the bail condition was dismissed.

    The trial court judge had said, “The investigating agency has explained that the offences being investigated involve suspected persons who are based in several foreign countries and the investigating agency is in the process of collecting important evidence in respect of these suspects from the relevant agencies and intermediaries.

    “Hence I am also of the opinion that the modification of condition(as sought) at this stage would be detrimental for the investigation.”

    Ravi was arrested from Bengaluru on February 13, 2021 by a Cyber Cell team of Delhi Police.

  • Study brings more certainty to ozone layer recovery

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: New research has reduced the uncertainty of climate change impact linked to the stratosphere—a dry region of the atmosphere containing the ozone layers that absorb ultraviolet rays and protect the Earth. The study was recently published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

    It has always been a challenge to quantify the presence of water vapour, a potent greenhouse gas, in the stratosphere. Excess water vapour potentially influences ozone depletion, especially in the polar regions.

    The stratosphere, above the troposphere, is an extremely dry region of the atmosphere that is 10-50 km above the Earth’s surface. Here temperature inversion takes place—the lower layer of the stratosphere is colder and as one moves upwards, the layers get hotter.

    Due to the low temperatures in the region of the atmosphere, the air gets freeze-dried and very little water enters the stratosphere. In fact, the primary source of stratospheric water vapour is the oxidation of methane, which is transported from the troposphere.

    So, the rising temperature due to climate change and increasing methane concentration are both expected to inject more water vapour into the stratosphere. Different studies project an ‘extreme scenario’—25% increase in water vapour concentration per degree of warming in the stratosphere that could delay the ozone layer’s recovery.

    But the new research, Response of stratospheric water vapour to warming constrained by satellite observations, led by the University of East Anglia (UEA), questioned the ‘extreme scenario’. 

    The research narrows down this ‘extreme range’ of likely future stratospheric water vapour amounts and finds it does not delay the recovery of the ozone layer as was earlier projected.

     The new approach projects a 50% reduction in the impact of water vapour as compared to earlier estimates. The research predicted future climate change by examining water vapour amounts in the stratospheric layer.

    “It means that stratospheric water changes are very unlikely to exceed half the value of the largest changes seen amongst the climate model runs,” said Manoj Joshi, Professor of Climate Dynamics at UEA and a co-author of the paper.

    The study led by Prof Peer Nowack, now at the Institute of Theoretical Informatics at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, has developed a new statistical learning approach. 

    This approach combines information from satellite observations with state-of-the-art climate model data to narrow the range of likely future stratospheric water vapour amounts.

    NEW DELHI: New research has reduced the uncertainty of climate change impact linked to the stratosphere—a dry region of the atmosphere containing the ozone layers that absorb ultraviolet rays and protect the Earth. The study was recently published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

    It has always been a challenge to quantify the presence of water vapour, a potent greenhouse gas, in the stratosphere. Excess water vapour potentially influences ozone depletion, especially in the polar regions.

    The stratosphere, above the troposphere, is an extremely dry region of the atmosphere that is 10-50 km above the Earth’s surface. Here temperature inversion takes place—the lower layer of the stratosphere is colder and as one moves upwards, the layers get hotter.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Due to the low temperatures in the region of the atmosphere, the air gets freeze-dried and very little water enters the stratosphere. In fact, the primary source of stratospheric water vapour is the oxidation of methane, which is transported from the troposphere.

    So, the rising temperature due to climate change and increasing methane concentration are both expected to inject more water vapour into the stratosphere. Different studies project an ‘extreme scenario’—25% increase in water vapour concentration per degree of warming in the stratosphere that could delay the ozone layer’s recovery.

    But the new research, Response of stratospheric water vapour to warming constrained by satellite observations, led by the University of East Anglia (UEA), questioned the ‘extreme scenario’. 

    The research narrows down this ‘extreme range’ of likely future stratospheric water vapour amounts and finds it does not delay the recovery of the ozone layer as was earlier projected.

     The new approach projects a 50% reduction in the impact of water vapour as compared to earlier estimates. The research predicted future climate change by examining water vapour amounts in the stratospheric layer.

    “It means that stratospheric water changes are very unlikely to exceed half the value of the largest changes seen amongst the climate model runs,” said Manoj Joshi, Professor of Climate Dynamics at UEA and a co-author of the paper.

    The study led by Prof Peer Nowack, now at the Institute of Theoretical Informatics at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, has developed a new statistical learning approach. 

    This approach combines information from satellite observations with state-of-the-art climate model data to narrow the range of likely future stratospheric water vapour amounts.

  • Rich over-emitting nations owe India trillions until 2050 as compensation, says new study

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Industrialised nations of the Global North, such as the US and Germany, are responsible for 90 percent of excessive levels of carbon dioxide emissions, and could be liable to pay a total of USD 170 trillion in compensation to low-emitters like India to ensure climate change targets are met by 2050, according to a new study.

    India is owed an annual compensation of USD 1,446 per capita until 2050 and a yearly compensation equivalent to 66 percent of its GDP in 2018, the study published in Nature Sustainability on Monday says.

    The researchers from the University of Leeds, the UK, analysed 168 countries and quantified historical responsibility for climate breakdown, based on excess carbon dioxide emissions beyond equality-based fair shares of global carbon budgets.

    Climate science defines carbon budget as the amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted for a given level of global warming (1.5 degree Celsius in this case).

    They proposed an evidence-based compensation mechanism that takes into account historical responsibility for both causing and averting climate breakdown in an ambitious scenario where all countries decarbonise from current levels to ‘net zero’ by 2050, which science says would limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

    Even under ambitious scenarios that limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the Global North would overshoot its collective share of the carbon budget by a factor of three, appropriating half of the Global South’s fair share in the process.

    “This is unjust,” they said.

    A handful of low-emitting countries, especially India, would sacrifice a majority of total appropriated emissions to balance the excess of over-emitting countries and keep global heating within 1.5 degrees Celsius, the research says.

    The top five over-emitting countries, including the US, Germany, Russia, the UK and Japan, would be liable to pay USD 131 trillion (more than two-thirds of total compensation.

    On the other hand, the top five low-emitting countries – India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria and China – are entitled to receive USD 102 trillion in compensation or reparations.

    In 2015, countries agreed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius as compared to pre-industrial levels (1850-1900) to avoid extreme, destructive and likely irreversible effects of climate change.

    Earth’s global surface temperature has risen by around 1.15 degrees Celsius, and the CO2 spewed into the atmosphere since the start of the industrial revolution is closely tied to it.

    Despite accounting for more than 17 percent of the global population, India has contributed only about 4 percent of the global cumulative greenhouse gas emissions between 1850 and 2019.

    At 2.4 tCO2e (tonne carbon dioxide equivalent), India’s per capita greenhouse gas emission is far below the global average of 6.3 tCO2e, according to a report released last year by the United Nations Environment Programme.

    Per capita emission in the US (14 tCO2e) is far above the global average, followed by Russia (13 tCO2e), China (9.7 tCO2e), Brazil and Indonesia (about 7.5 tCO2e each), and the European Union (7.2 tCO2e).

    Research on carbon inequalities shows that some countries are overshooting their fair share of the remaining carbon budget and hold disproportionate responsibility for climate breakdown.

    Many poor and developing countries argue that the overshooting countries owe compensation or reparations to undershooting countries for atmospheric appropriation and climate-related damages.

    NEW DELHI: Industrialised nations of the Global North, such as the US and Germany, are responsible for 90 percent of excessive levels of carbon dioxide emissions, and could be liable to pay a total of USD 170 trillion in compensation to low-emitters like India to ensure climate change targets are met by 2050, according to a new study.

    India is owed an annual compensation of USD 1,446 per capita until 2050 and a yearly compensation equivalent to 66 percent of its GDP in 2018, the study published in Nature Sustainability on Monday says.

    The researchers from the University of Leeds, the UK, analysed 168 countries and quantified historical responsibility for climate breakdown, based on excess carbon dioxide emissions beyond equality-based fair shares of global carbon budgets.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Climate science defines carbon budget as the amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted for a given level of global warming (1.5 degree Celsius in this case).

    They proposed an evidence-based compensation mechanism that takes into account historical responsibility for both causing and averting climate breakdown in an ambitious scenario where all countries decarbonise from current levels to ‘net zero’ by 2050, which science says would limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

    Even under ambitious scenarios that limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the Global North would overshoot its collective share of the carbon budget by a factor of three, appropriating half of the Global South’s fair share in the process.

    “This is unjust,” they said.

    A handful of low-emitting countries, especially India, would sacrifice a majority of total appropriated emissions to balance the excess of over-emitting countries and keep global heating within 1.5 degrees Celsius, the research says.

    The top five over-emitting countries, including the US, Germany, Russia, the UK and Japan, would be liable to pay USD 131 trillion (more than two-thirds of total compensation.

    On the other hand, the top five low-emitting countries – India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria and China – are entitled to receive USD 102 trillion in compensation or reparations.

    In 2015, countries agreed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius as compared to pre-industrial levels (1850-1900) to avoid extreme, destructive and likely irreversible effects of climate change.

    Earth’s global surface temperature has risen by around 1.15 degrees Celsius, and the CO2 spewed into the atmosphere since the start of the industrial revolution is closely tied to it.

    Despite accounting for more than 17 percent of the global population, India has contributed only about 4 percent of the global cumulative greenhouse gas emissions between 1850 and 2019.

    At 2.4 tCO2e (tonne carbon dioxide equivalent), India’s per capita greenhouse gas emission is far below the global average of 6.3 tCO2e, according to a report released last year by the United Nations Environment Programme.

    Per capita emission in the US (14 tCO2e) is far above the global average, followed by Russia (13 tCO2e), China (9.7 tCO2e), Brazil and Indonesia (about 7.5 tCO2e each), and the European Union (7.2 tCO2e).

    Research on carbon inequalities shows that some countries are overshooting their fair share of the remaining carbon budget and hold disproportionate responsibility for climate breakdown.

    Many poor and developing countries argue that the overshooting countries owe compensation or reparations to undershooting countries for atmospheric appropriation and climate-related damages.

  • Annual crop loss of 147 million kg due to pest attacks: Tea research body

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Amid rising temperatures and prolonged rainless periods due to climate change, large-scale attacks of pests and diseases in tea plantations across the country have become worrisome for planters with an estimated annual crop loss of around 147 million kg, an industry body said on Saturday.

    Tea Research Association, in its statement, said the revenue loss due to pest infestation in tea plantations is pegged at Rs 2,865 crore per year.

    “Pest and diseases were present earlier, but it has aggravated over the last few years. In north India, the incidence of pest attacks was initially limited to a few areas in Dooars in West Bengal and the south bank of Assam, but has been spreading rapidly in other tea-growing regions of Cachar, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling and Terai over the last two decades,” TRA secretary Joydeep Phukan said.

    The major pests prevalent in north Indian tea plantations are tea mosquito bugs and looper caterpillars apart from thrips.

    There has been also a growing incidence and spread of termite infestation in northeast India, which is spreading to new areas, the TRA official said.

    The cost of plant protection in tea plantations in the northern part of West Bengal and the northeast region of the country has increased manifold over the past two decades, reaching as high as Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per hectare, the statement said.

    According to TRA, this has had a “negative impact on the viability of operations” leading to lower exports and global competitiveness.

    “Crop loss due to pest infestation in tea is estimated at 147 million kg per year, and in revenue, the loss is around Rs 2,865 crore per year,” Phukan said.

    The tea industry uses pesticides that are approved by the Central Insecticides Board along with the guidelines issued by the Tea Board India through its Plant Protection Code and Good Agricultural Practices listed by the TRA.

    “Currently, there are only seven pesticides which are approved for use in India by CIBRC (Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee), making it difficult for tea growers to effectively control tea mosquito bugs and tea loopers,” the industry body said.

    The availability of a “narrow range of limited chemicals has led to resistance build-up in pest populations”, Phukan said, adding that there are “restrictions on the use of pesticides in tea due to revision of MRLs (maximum residue levels) in the EU”.

    Plant protection scientists at TRA have been evaluating several new molecules/ pesticides against the major pests through products available with Indian pesticide manufacturers and have submitted bio-efficacy and residue studies to the CIB&RC, he claimed.

    “Considering the huge crop loss due to tea mosquito bug and other major pests, the TRA, which is a public authority under the Department of Commerce, has requested the agriculture secretary to kindly intervene for allowing provisional approval under national exigency of some more pesticides for two years for the benefit of the tea growers,” Phukan added.

    KOLKATA: Amid rising temperatures and prolonged rainless periods due to climate change, large-scale attacks of pests and diseases in tea plantations across the country have become worrisome for planters with an estimated annual crop loss of around 147 million kg, an industry body said on Saturday.

    Tea Research Association, in its statement, said the revenue loss due to pest infestation in tea plantations is pegged at Rs 2,865 crore per year.

    “Pest and diseases were present earlier, but it has aggravated over the last few years. In north India, the incidence of pest attacks was initially limited to a few areas in Dooars in West Bengal and the south bank of Assam, but has been spreading rapidly in other tea-growing regions of Cachar, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling and Terai over the last two decades,” TRA secretary Joydeep Phukan said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The major pests prevalent in north Indian tea plantations are tea mosquito bugs and looper caterpillars apart from thrips.

    There has been also a growing incidence and spread of termite infestation in northeast India, which is spreading to new areas, the TRA official said.

    The cost of plant protection in tea plantations in the northern part of West Bengal and the northeast region of the country has increased manifold over the past two decades, reaching as high as Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per hectare, the statement said.

    According to TRA, this has had a “negative impact on the viability of operations” leading to lower exports and global competitiveness.

    “Crop loss due to pest infestation in tea is estimated at 147 million kg per year, and in revenue, the loss is around Rs 2,865 crore per year,” Phukan said.

    The tea industry uses pesticides that are approved by the Central Insecticides Board along with the guidelines issued by the Tea Board India through its Plant Protection Code and Good Agricultural Practices listed by the TRA.

    “Currently, there are only seven pesticides which are approved for use in India by CIBRC (Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee), making it difficult for tea growers to effectively control tea mosquito bugs and tea loopers,” the industry body said.

    The availability of a “narrow range of limited chemicals has led to resistance build-up in pest populations”, Phukan said, adding that there are “restrictions on the use of pesticides in tea due to revision of MRLs (maximum residue levels) in the EU”.

    Plant protection scientists at TRA have been evaluating several new molecules/ pesticides against the major pests through products available with Indian pesticide manufacturers and have submitted bio-efficacy and residue studies to the CIB&RC, he claimed.

    “Considering the huge crop loss due to tea mosquito bug and other major pests, the TRA, which is a public authority under the Department of Commerce, has requested the agriculture secretary to kindly intervene for allowing provisional approval under national exigency of some more pesticides for two years for the benefit of the tea growers,” Phukan added.

  • 1.6K died in extreme weather events in ’22, most in floods, landslips: Report

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: According to the annual report of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), India witnessed over 1,600 people killed in 2022 in extreme weather events.

    Floods and landslides caused over 700 deaths while lightning caused over 900 deaths were reported in 2022. Globally, the report states that climate change has already caused the displacement of 95 million people and more are getting displaced as the impact of climate change is increasing.

    The report “state of the Global Climate 2022”, further states that heatwaves in the 2022 premonsoon season in India and Pakistan caused a decline in crop yields. subsequently, India put a ban on wheat exportwhich further exacerbated the global food crisis.

    The report underlined that the continued increase of heat-trapping greenhouse gases is causing socio-economic upheavals and environmental impacts. It is causing a global food crisis, displacement, floods, heat waves and droughts.

    For instance, record-breaking rainfall in Pakistan caused the death of over 1700 people, displaced 8 million people, and affected over 33 million people. It caused a loss of $30 billion.

    Record-breaking heatwaves in Europe in 2022 caused the deaths of over 15000 people across Spain, Ger many, the UK, France, and Portugal. Moreover, between the years 2015-2022, there were the eighth warmest on record despite the cooling impact of a La niña event for the past three years.

    The melting of glaciers and sea level rise again reached record levels in 2022. Climate change has alsocaused serious consequences on the environment. The snow reserve of the Tibet plateau at a higher elevation is expanding, migratory birds’ routes and foods are mismatching, and shift in time of blooming of the flowers. It is alarming for the whole planetary system.

    NEW DELHI: According to the annual report of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), India witnessed over 1,600 people killed in 2022 in extreme weather events.

    Floods and landslides caused over 700 deaths while lightning caused over 900 deaths were reported in 2022. Globally, the report states that climate change has already caused the displacement of 95 million people and more are getting displaced as the impact of climate change is increasing.

    The report “state of the Global Climate 2022”, further states that heatwaves in the 2022 premonsoon season in India and Pakistan caused a decline in crop yields. subsequently, India put a ban on wheat export
    which further exacerbated the global food crisis.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    The report underlined that the continued increase of heat-trapping greenhouse gases is causing socio-economic upheavals and environmental impacts. It is causing a global food crisis, displacement, floods, heat waves and droughts.

    For instance, record-breaking rainfall in Pakistan caused the death of over 1700 people, displaced 8 million people, and affected over 33 million people. It caused a loss of $30 billion.

    Record-breaking heatwaves in Europe in 2022 caused the deaths of over 15000 people across Spain, Ger many, the UK, France, and Portugal. Moreover, between the years 2015-2022, there were the eighth warmest on record despite the cooling impact of a La niña event for the past three years.

    The melting of glaciers and sea level rise again reached record levels in 2022. Climate change has also
    caused serious consequences on the environment. The snow reserve of the Tibet plateau at a higher elevation is expanding, migratory birds’ routes and foods are mismatching, and shift in time of blooming of the flowers. It is alarming for the whole planetary system.

  • Climate justice part of sustainable development: Bhupender Yadav

    By Express News Service

    There are many expectations from India on the global climate strategy as the country cranks up on the development front. India’s sheer size is an indication that its energy demand will grow hugely. Bhupender Yadav, the Union Cabinet Minister of Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, says India stands for climate justice which entails that people are pulled out of poverty. This is in sync with the Sustainable Development Goals, he tells Rajesh Kumar Thakur in an interview.

    Excerpts:

    What specific initiatives has your ministry taken to meet the net-zero emission targets?India is among the very few nations to have submitted the long-term low emission development strategy (LT-LEDS) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which lays the path towards net-zero emission by 2070. Our LT-LEDS rests on seven key transitions. These are: low-carbon development of electricity systems consistent with development; integrated, efficient, inclusive low-carbon transport system; adaptation in urban design, energy and material-efficiency in buildings, and sustainable urbanization; economy-wide decoupling of growth from emissions; CO2 removal and other engineering solutions; enhancing the forest and vegetation cover consistent with socio-economic and ecological considerations, and economic and financial aspects of low-carbon development. 

    The PM says India will generate 500 GW energy through non-fossil fuel by 2030. What steps are you taking?The Indian Railways is fast electrifying its vast network. It will be fully electrified by 2030, reducing as much as 80 billion tonnes of emission. PM Modi has also initiated the National Green Hydrogen Mission for a clean and renewable energy source in the country. Budget 2023-24 has allocated a fund of Rs 19,700 crore for it. There is a major push for LED bulbs and this transition will cut down on nearly 40 billion tonnes of emissions.

    How are we doing on the forest front?Between 2019 and 2021, India’s forest and tree cover rose by 2,261 sq km. Forest and tree cover is now spread across 80.9 million hectares, which is 24.62% of India’s geographical area. When you talk of carbon sinks, you need to understand that there are other systems as well, for which our government is working. The Union Budget lays out the roadmap for MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes), PM PRANAM (Prime Minister Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth) and Amrit Dharohar, which encourages optimal use of wetlands.

    India was the third largest CO2 emitter by volume in 2020. Our target to reach net-zero emissions remains 2070, which is not in line with the Paris Agreement…It is an erroneous way of looking at progress that we have made. India’s climate actions exceed its moral and legal responsibility. India’s sheer size and scope for growth is an indication that its energy demand will also grow faster than any other economy. Even COP15, UN Biodiversity Conference, held in December 2022, recognized the ‘right to development’ for developing nations. India stands for climate justice and that entails that the people are pulled out of poverty. This is in sync with the Sustainable Development Goals. India with more than 17% of the global population has contributed only about 4% of the global cumulative greenhouse gas emissions between 1850 and 2019. India is, in fact, the only G20 nation well on track to achieve the goals mentioned under the Paris Agreement. We are not lagging; we are leading.

    Amid a dissonance between development and environment, there is a demand that developed countries do more…India doesn’t see environment protection and development as necessarily antagonistic. PM Modi has shown that both can go together. India’s stated policy is mindful resource utilization over mindless consumption. The developed countries can begin with an acceptance that the developed world precipitated the problem. They must release the promised climate finance fund without a delay, allowing the technology transfer needed for climate action. 

    India has stressed blending the traditional practices in day-to-day living for a sustainable future. How is your ministry contributing to this initiative?

    India believes ‘our solutions are in nature’. Oneness with nature is the Indian way of life and it is time to shift to this way. PM Modi has given the world the mantra of LiFE, Lifestyle for Environment. My ministry is spreading greater awareness about existing in harmony with nature through ‘Prakriti.’ This involves adopting small changes in everyday life. 

    The NCR faces AQI issues every winter. Any long-term measures to deal with it?I agree the problem is recurring. I feel it is important to underline that the situation is getting better. The Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station data for Delhi reveals that annual concentration of particulate matter has declined since 2016. We have already achieved a significant reduction in stubble burning.

    There are many expectations from India on the global climate strategy as the country cranks up on the development front. India’s sheer size is an indication that its energy demand will grow hugely. Bhupender Yadav, the Union Cabinet Minister of Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, says India stands for climate justice which entails that people are pulled out of poverty. This is in sync with the Sustainable Development Goals, he tells Rajesh Kumar Thakur in an interview.

    Excerpts:

    What specific initiatives has your ministry taken to meet the net-zero emission targets?
    India is among the very few nations to have submitted the long-term low emission development strategy (LT-LEDS) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which lays the path towards net-zero emission by 2070. Our LT-LEDS rests on seven key transitions. These are: low-carbon development of electricity systems consistent with development; integrated, efficient, inclusive low-carbon transport system; adaptation in urban design, energy and material-efficiency in buildings, and sustainable urbanization; economy-wide decoupling of growth from emissions; CO2 removal and other engineering solutions; enhancing the forest and vegetation cover consistent with socio-economic and ecological considerations, and economic and financial aspects of low-carbon development. 

    The PM says India will generate 500 GW energy through non-fossil fuel by 2030. What steps are you taking?
    The Indian Railways is fast electrifying its vast network. It will be fully electrified by 2030, reducing as much as 80 billion tonnes of emission. PM Modi has also initiated the National Green Hydrogen Mission for a clean and renewable energy source in the country. Budget 2023-24 has allocated a fund of Rs 19,700 crore for it. There is a major push for LED bulbs and this transition will cut down on nearly 40 billion tonnes of emissions.

    How are we doing on the forest front?
    Between 2019 and 2021, India’s forest and tree cover rose by 2,261 sq km. Forest and tree cover is now spread across 80.9 million hectares, which is 24.62% of India’s geographical area. When you talk of carbon sinks, you need to understand that there are other systems as well, for which our government is working. The Union Budget lays out the roadmap for MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes), PM PRANAM (Prime Minister Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth) and Amrit Dharohar, which encourages optimal use of wetlands.

    India was the third largest CO2 emitter by volume in 2020. Our target to reach net-zero emissions remains 2070, which is not in line with the Paris Agreement…
    It is an erroneous way of looking at progress that we have made. India’s climate actions exceed its moral and legal responsibility. India’s sheer size and scope for growth is an indication that its energy demand will also grow faster than any other economy. Even COP15, UN Biodiversity Conference, held in December 2022, recognized the ‘right to development’ for developing nations. India stands for climate justice and that entails that the people are pulled out of poverty. This is in sync with the Sustainable Development Goals. India with more than 17% of the global population has contributed only about 4% of the global cumulative greenhouse gas emissions between 1850 and 2019. India is, in fact, the only G20 nation well on track to achieve the goals mentioned under the Paris Agreement. We are not lagging; we are leading.

    Amid a dissonance between development and environment, there is a demand that developed countries do more…
    India doesn’t see environment protection and development as necessarily antagonistic. PM Modi has shown that both can go together. India’s stated policy is mindful resource utilization over mindless consumption. The developed countries can begin with an acceptance that the developed world precipitated the problem. They must release the promised climate finance fund without a delay, allowing the technology transfer needed for climate action. 

    India has stressed blending the traditional practices in day-to-day living for a sustainable future. How is your ministry contributing to this initiative?

    India believes ‘our solutions are in nature’. Oneness with nature is the Indian way of life and it is time to shift to this way. PM Modi has given the world the mantra of LiFE, Lifestyle for Environment. My ministry is spreading greater awareness about existing in harmony with nature through ‘Prakriti.’ This involves adopting small changes in everyday life. 

    The NCR faces AQI issues every winter. Any long-term measures to deal with it?
    I agree the problem is recurring. I feel it is important to underline that the situation is getting better. The Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station data for Delhi reveals that annual concentration of particulate matter has declined since 2016. We have already achieved a significant reduction in stubble burning.

  • G-20: Opportunity for developing countries to mainstream climate change agenda: Environmentalists

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Environmentalists see India’s G-20 presidency as an opportunity for developing countries to mainstream climate change agenda, particularly climate financing, in view of the decision to establish a ‘loss and damage’ fund during COP 27 last year.

    This is especially so, as three major developing countries including India and Indonesia are part of the grouping.

    “The first major issue is loss and damage and the second one is how partnership for energy transition can be done”, said Sanjay Vashist, director, Cansa, a coalition of over 300 civil society organisations working in eight south Asian countries.

    “All countries are facing the developmental challenge and such loss and damage fund needs to be operationalised. One most important factor is the governance system of such a resource. Since G-20 countries contribute 85 per cent of the global GDP, they can build an understanding of how to replenish loss and damage,” he said.

    India assumed the presidency of the G20 on December 1, 2022. The troika comprises Indonesia, India and Brazil, the first time that three developing and emerging economies are part of the core group of the G-20 bloc. 

    “They are the ones who decide the agenda. India will be part of the troika when the G-20 presidency moves to Brazil for the next term. So developing countries’ role within the G-20 bloc is paramount important to figure out climate finance and energy transition partnership”.

    “Most of the green energy technology is with these nations and they need to decide among themselves how investments will be made in emerging countries,” Vashist told PTI on the sidelines of a programme organised at the Kolkata Press Club on Friday.

    The event – G20 and Climate Change: National and Regional Perspective – was organised jointly by Cansa and EnGIO, a civil society organisation.

    Climate Action Network’s global political strategy head Harjeet Singh said the establishment of loss and damage fund is the “first big step for climate financing but the key is to operationalise the resources and promote resilient development”.

    “Here comes the importance of G-20 members, particularly G-7 nations. These countries have to make sure that they are setting right path for development,” Singh told PTI.

    Echoing Singh, Observer Research Foundation Director Nilanjan Ghosh said G-20 provides an important platform for global south countries (developing and underdeveloped nations) to place their demand in terms of climate financing.

    “The estimation of loss and damage triggered by climate change is extremely important. It is not just an assessment of economic losses like loss of properties, embankments and human livelihoods. Damage of ecosystem services has to be taken into consideration,” Ghosh, also the president of the Indian Society for Ecological Economics, told PTI.

    He emphasised on the “need to find the value of loss and damage stream” for the long term.

    “Global south nations such as developing and underdeveloped countries can put a right financing mechanism in the summit of nations of G-20 bloc. This is will help developing countries to raise their voices in the global negotiation system,” Ghosh said.

    The proposed fund would largely be based on public finance but also innovative sources such as shifting of fossil fuel subsidies, putting levies on financial transactions or air travel, etc should also be explored, Singh said.

    “This is where G-7 countries have the largest share. According to an estimate, the finance needed for addressing loss and damage would be between USD 290-580 billion annually by 2030 for developing countries,” he said.

    This year is going to be “crucial as there would be negotiations to operationalise the loss and damage fund at the earliest”, he said, adding that unlike “Green Climate Fund which takes time to roll out projects for vulnerable people, we need different arrangements to respond to climate disasters”.

    The group of seven developed nations have to “take a leading role” in setting up of the proposed fund and ensure that they “provide their fair share of finance so that the fund is up and running”, he said.

    Jadavpur University’s Oceanographic Studies Professor Sugata Hazra said Brazil, a G20 member, was able to bring Amazon rainforest, in spite of its burning episode, in the thrust area of climate change mitigation because of its carbon sequestration potential.

    “Similarly, mangroves that we might be losing due to sea level rise and erosion can be a thrust area for climate change mitigation and climate financing process so that the unique biodiversity and tiger habitat is saved. It can be an important Bay of Bengal agenda in bringing mangroves into the focus area during G-20 summit,” Hazra told PTI.

    In the last 20 years, 110 sq km of mangrove cover with blue carbon have been lost from the core and buffer area of the national park in Sundarbans, a Unesco heritage site, due to sea level rise and erosion triggered by climate change, he said.

    The term “blue carbon” refers to the carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems.

    Hazra also wondered why not historical damage such as destroying of mangroves by colonisers can be raised during the summit.

    “From the late 18th century to India’s independence in 1947, more than 4,000 sq km of mangrove was cut down and tigers were killed. Why not such damage will be compensated for the regeneration of mangrove,” Hazra added.

    KOLKATA: Environmentalists see India’s G-20 presidency as an opportunity for developing countries to mainstream climate change agenda, particularly climate financing, in view of the decision to establish a ‘loss and damage’ fund during COP 27 last year.

    This is especially so, as three major developing countries including India and Indonesia are part of the grouping.

    “The first major issue is loss and damage and the second one is how partnership for energy transition can be done”, said Sanjay Vashist, director, Cansa, a coalition of over 300 civil society organisations working in eight south Asian countries.

    “All countries are facing the developmental challenge and such loss and damage fund needs to be operationalised. One most important factor is the governance system of such a resource. Since G-20 countries contribute 85 per cent of the global GDP, they can build an understanding of how to replenish loss and damage,” he said.

    India assumed the presidency of the G20 on December 1, 2022. The troika comprises Indonesia, India and Brazil, the first time that three developing and emerging economies are part of the core group of the G-20 bloc. 

    “They are the ones who decide the agenda. India will be part of the troika when the G-20 presidency moves to Brazil for the next term. So developing countries’ role within the G-20 bloc is paramount important to figure out climate finance and energy transition partnership”.

    “Most of the green energy technology is with these nations and they need to decide among themselves how investments will be made in emerging countries,” Vashist told PTI on the sidelines of a programme organised at the Kolkata Press Club on Friday.

    The event – G20 and Climate Change: National and Regional Perspective – was organised jointly by Cansa and EnGIO, a civil society organisation.

    Climate Action Network’s global political strategy head Harjeet Singh said the establishment of loss and damage fund is the “first big step for climate financing but the key is to operationalise the resources and promote resilient development”.

    “Here comes the importance of G-20 members, particularly G-7 nations. These countries have to make sure that they are setting right path for development,” Singh told PTI.

    Echoing Singh, Observer Research Foundation Director Nilanjan Ghosh said G-20 provides an important platform for global south countries (developing and underdeveloped nations) to place their demand in terms of climate financing.

    “The estimation of loss and damage triggered by climate change is extremely important. It is not just an assessment of economic losses like loss of properties, embankments and human livelihoods. Damage of ecosystem services has to be taken into consideration,” Ghosh, also the president of the Indian Society for Ecological Economics, told PTI.

    He emphasised on the “need to find the value of loss and damage stream” for the long term.

    “Global south nations such as developing and underdeveloped countries can put a right financing mechanism in the summit of nations of G-20 bloc. This is will help developing countries to raise their voices in the global negotiation system,” Ghosh said.

    The proposed fund would largely be based on public finance but also innovative sources such as shifting of fossil fuel subsidies, putting levies on financial transactions or air travel, etc should also be explored, Singh said.

    “This is where G-7 countries have the largest share. According to an estimate, the finance needed for addressing loss and damage would be between USD 290-580 billion annually by 2030 for developing countries,” he said.

    This year is going to be “crucial as there would be negotiations to operationalise the loss and damage fund at the earliest”, he said, adding that unlike “Green Climate Fund which takes time to roll out projects for vulnerable people, we need different arrangements to respond to climate disasters”.

    The group of seven developed nations have to “take a leading role” in setting up of the proposed fund and ensure that they “provide their fair share of finance so that the fund is up and running”, he said.

    Jadavpur University’s Oceanographic Studies Professor Sugata Hazra said Brazil, a G20 member, was able to bring Amazon rainforest, in spite of its burning episode, in the thrust area of climate change mitigation because of its carbon sequestration potential.

    “Similarly, mangroves that we might be losing due to sea level rise and erosion can be a thrust area for climate change mitigation and climate financing process so that the unique biodiversity and tiger habitat is saved. It can be an important Bay of Bengal agenda in bringing mangroves into the focus area during G-20 summit,” Hazra told PTI.

    In the last 20 years, 110 sq km of mangrove cover with blue carbon have been lost from the core and buffer area of the national park in Sundarbans, a Unesco heritage site, due to sea level rise and erosion triggered by climate change, he said.

    The term “blue carbon” refers to the carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems.

    Hazra also wondered why not historical damage such as destroying of mangroves by colonisers can be raised during the summit.

    “From the late 18th century to India’s independence in 1947, more than 4,000 sq km of mangrove was cut down and tigers were killed. Why not such damage will be compensated for the regeneration of mangrove,” Hazra added.

  • Climate change, environment degradation emerging as major cause of human rights violations: NHRC

    Human Rights Day is celebrated globally on December 10 every year since 1950 in commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations in 1948.