Question : Rise in Global Temperature

(a) whether the Government is aware that climate central a Non-Governmental Organization has expressed apprehensions in its report that 14.50 crore people of China and about 2 crore people of India are in danger of drowning due to rising sea level on account of increase in the global temperature and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware of the warning issued by the United Nations that commitment for curtailment in carbon emission is not enough to check Global Warming and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether the Government proposes to adapt Sweden Model for reducing the pollution in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of the agreement and the strategy on carbon emission made on climate change at the climate conference at Paris in 2015?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a)Yes, the Climate Central has published a report titled “Mapping Choices, Carbon Climate and Rising Seas”, in November 2015 and reported the information. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as an intergovernmental body, recognized by UNFCCC, in its 5th Assessment Report indicates that global sea level will continue to rise during 21st century under all scenarios. It is very likely that sea level rise in about 95% of the ocean area and would have impact on 70% of the coastline worldwide. The projected sea level rise will affect low-lying coastal areas with large populations. There is no country specific projection in the IPCC report.

(b)United Nations Environment Programme published a report titled “The Emissions Gap Report 2015”. The analysis made in the report, taking into account Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) submitted by 146 countries (including the European Union submitting as a bloc) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by 1 October, 2015, revealed that the committed reduction of GHGs by 2030 is not sufficient for staying below the 2°C target in 2100 as compared to pre-industrial era. Paris Agreement envisages a facilitative dialogue in 2018 and global stocktake in 2023 to address these issues. Government of India has signed the Paris Agreement and is actively collaborating under UNFCCC on climate change issues.

(c)There is no proposal to adopt the Sweden Model for reducing the pollution in the country.

(d) The Paris agreement adopted at 21st COP at UNFCCC in Dec. 2015 addresses mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology transfer and capacity building as equal pillars. It is based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC) in the light of different national circumstance. The agreement also recognizes climate justice & imperatives of sustainable production & consumption. The agreement also supports the right to development and efforts of developing countries to harmonize development with environment protection, while also protecting the interests of the most vulnerable. The mitigation strategy as outlined in article 4 of the Paris Agreement, talks of reaching global peaking of emissions by the 2nd half of the century. The mitigation efforts will be differentiated for developed and developing countries. Each country is required to submit nationally determined contributions periodically.

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