(a) the present status of green-house gas emissions in developed,developing and
poor nations in the world;
(b) whether the green-house gas emissions by developed nations is major cause for
environmental degradation;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Indian Government
thereon; and
(d) the consensus likely to be arrived at the Copenhagen Summit on the
green-house gas emission?
MINISTER OE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) As per information available from the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, the total aggregate emissions of Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) excluding Land use, land use change & forestry (LULUCF) of Annex-I Parties
(Developed Countries) increased from 13 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent in 1990 to
14.3 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent iin 2006. Also as per Initial National
Communications submitted by Non Annex-I Parties (Developing countries) in 2005 to the
UNFCCC, their aggregate Greenhouse Gas emissions was 11.7 billion tonnes CO2
equivalent for the year 1994.
(b) As per Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
report, the increase in the stock of GHG in the atmosphere
over the last many years is responsible for rising global
temperature. As industrial activities in developed countries
started way back in 1750s the major stock of Green House
Gases in the atmosphere is because of them.
(c) As per the requirements of Kyoto Protocol, the Government is
pressing developed countries to take deeper emission
reduction commitments.Though not bound, the Government is
also voluntarily taking steps to reduce green house gas
emissions and two of the eight national missions are on
mitigation viz. The National Solar Mission and the National
Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency. Besides, Government
has taken several steps towards sustainable development
through a range of policies and programmes to mitigate
climate change aimed at energy conservation,improved
energy efficiency in various sectors;promoting use of
renewable energy;power sector reforms; use of cleaner and
lesser carbon intensive fuel for transport; fuel switching to
cleaner energy; afforestation and conservation of forests;
promotion of clean coal technologies and encouraging Mass
Rapid Transport systems.
(d) The Climate Change negotiations are in full swing at the
United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
India is actively participating along with other like minded
countries and pressing that developed countries should take
deeper emissions reduction commitment as well as transfer
financial resources and climate friendly technologies to the developing countries
at the earliest. At this stage it is difficult to predict the outcome of the
Conference.