(a) Whether emission of green house gases is causing change in climate and increase in
temperature in the country;
(b) If so, the details thereof ; and
(c) the effective measures undertaken by the Government to check the emission of green house
gases?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) & (b) The concentrations of green house gases in the atmosphere are leading to global
warming.The analysis of data for the period 1901-2008 by IMD suggests that annual mean temperature
for the country as a whole has risen by 0.52oC over the period. Spatial pattern of trends in the
mean annual temperature shows significant positive (increasing) trend over most parts of the
country except over parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Bihar, where significant negative (decreasing)
trends were observed.
(c) India is signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
and its Kyoto Protocol, and also has various partnerships with other countries under the UNFCCC.
While India does not have any Green House Gases (GHG) abatement commitments under the Kyoto
Protocol, a range of policies and programs have been followed that include:
i) Improving energy efficiency & conservation as well setting up of Bureau of Energy
Efficiency
ii) Power sector reforms
iii) Promoting hydro and renewable energy
iv) Promotion of clean coal technologies
v) Coal washing & efficient utilization of coal
vi) Afforestation and conservation of forests
vii) Reduction of gas flaring
viii) Use of cleaner and lesser carbon intensive fuel for transport
ix) Encouraging Mass Rapid Transport systems
x) Environmental quality management
These measures help achieve better energy intensity while addressing climate change as
co-benefit.