Opinion
Greenhouse gases: the developed world
14 Mar 2008 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| Time
Most references to the role of China and India in global mitigation of emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are generally simplistic. The typical argument put forward highlights the fact that these countries would continue increasing their emissions substantially, and, therefore, any efforts at reduction in the developed world would be more than neutralized by increases in the former. The reality is in fact much more complex. It is important to remember that the problem of human induced climate change has been caused by the cumulative emissions of GHGs with concentration levels at 280 parts per million of CO2 in pre-industrial times growing to around 380 parts per million currently. This increase is largely the result of substantial increase in use of fossil fuels in the industrialized world. For this reason, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) included the principle of "common but differentiated responsibility", requiring the developed countries to take the first steps in mitigating emissions of GHGs. However, the record of the developed world has been less than satisfactory in this regard.
Falling short of the right measures
02 Mar 2008 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| The Financial Express
It is indeed heartening to see a substantial reflection of the concern around climate change both in the Economic Survey as well as the current Budget. As per the Economic Survey, 309 out of a total of 918 projects registered at a global level are from India and the National CDM Authority has accorded approval to 858 projects facilitating an investment of over Rs 70,000 crore. The finance minister goes a step further to delineate some of the policies and measures that can be put in place to facilitate win-win solutions both for climate change and for India's sustainable development. Among these are promotion of clean technology products, review of fuel emissions and regulations, greater use of solar energy and so on.
The smart-card dichotomy
01 Mar 2008 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| DNA
As has been largely expected, the Budget is more populist. The key challenges facing the energy sector in the short term centre around rising international crude oil prices, heavy subsidies on LPG/kerosene, under-pricing of transport fuels, huge electricity shortages (peak deficit of 14.8% and energy deficit of 8.4%) and stagnating coal production.
National debt vs natural debt
24 Feb 2008 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Times of India
The Annual Budget is, undoubtedly, an important exercise in charting out the direction of government revenues and expenditures, but it also meets a much larger objective in signalling priorities for growth and development. Based on an assessment of long term trends the Budget must clearly indicate structural changes that could be brought about through a mix of fiscal measures.
Every drop counts: Plan a rainwater harvesting system based on the rainfall and water usage pattern
12 Jan 2008 |
Ms K V Rajeshwari
| Hindustan Times
Rain water harvesting is collection of rainwater falling onto catchment areas such as roofs, terraces, lawns, pavements etc, into storage tanks, ponds or aquifers. Rainwater harvesting is an age-old concept, which provides a solution to the problem of increasing water demand by increasing ground water levels. It also helps in controlling the water run off into drains and mitigates resulting water logging problems.
When alternatives can be the solution
07 Jan 2008 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| The Financial Express
India returned from Bali having successfully fended off pressure from developed countries to take on targets relating to emissions of greenhouse gases. Undoubtedly, India's per capita energy consumption is extremely low and we do have to provide good quality reliable energy to our people to sustain economic growth, promote a reasonable lifestyle and pull people out of poverty. However, this is easier said than done!
Visualising future in pace with developed countries
31 Dec 2007 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Economic Times
There is growing concern on the future of energy to fuel the global economy, with a growing population and higher incomes, not only in the developed countries but also in the emerging markets like China and India. These concerns stem from the growing scarcity of fossil fuels, higher levels of air pollution and increased awareness on the global threat of climate change.
Towards a low carbon future
30 Dec 2007 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Economic Times
Indian business needs to understand how climate change may alter opportunities and specific tech demands in future.
The year 2007 has been dominated, among other global developments, by an expansion of interest related to climate change. Not only have governments and the public at large been gripped by concerns on what they may be required to do to meet this challenge, but business and industry round the world have also been trying to assess their own prospects, as they may unfold through multilateral agreements, national policies and the expectations of civil society.
Will the Rs 1 lakh car be an environmental nightmare
26 Dec 2007 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| Business Standard
The recently concluded Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change came up with a final declaration that highlighted the need for "deep cuts" in emissions of greenhouse gases to combat the problem of global climate change. The tone and content of the Bali Conference represented a perceptible departure from previous such meetings, in view of the major impacts of climate change assessed in great detail in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (lPCC).
Essentially, the problem of climate change, which is the result of cumulative emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) since the beginning of industrialisation, represents only a part of the-much larger problem of unsustainable development. While the world has achieved remarkable success through innovation in providing the means for satisfying the needs of the human race, there are also several distortions which have taken place and grown as a result.
Let's go beyond Bali
24 Dec 2007 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Times of India
The recently concluded Thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Bali, Indonesia, marks a watershed in action to combat climate change. Governments, and even some business enterprises, are in any case taking action within their own jurisdictions to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs).