INDIA UNVEILS ITS ACTION PLAN ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh unveiled the National Action Plan on Climate Change on June 30, 2008. This plan seeks to promote sustainable development through the use of clean technologies. Though it does not set targets for reduction of green house gas emissions, it expects to develop multi-pronged long-term integrated strategies for achieving key goals in the field of climate change. The plan categorically states that India’s per capita green house gas emissions will at no point exceed that of developed countries. India plans to engage actively in multilateral negotiations in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner with the objective of establishing an effective co-operative and equitable global approach based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and relative capabilities enshrined in the UNFCC. The plan states that the success of its efforts would be enhanced if the developed nations fulfill their commitments under UNFCC to transfer additional financial resources and climate-friendly technologies to the developing countries. India’s action plan will be implemented through eight missions. These missions focus their attention on; 1) increasing share of solar energy in the total energy mix, 2) implementation of energy efficiency measures, 3) launching sustainable habitats, 4) effective water resource management, 5) safeguarding Himalayan glacier and mountain eco-system, 6) enhance eco-system services, 7) making agriculture more resilient to climate change, and 8) establishing a strategic knowledge mission for focused research in the area. The action plan will be institutionalized by the respective ministries of the government of India. Various inter-sect oral groups will be set up with experts from industry, academia and civil society. Action plans for the next 5-10 years will be finalized by December 2008. ( SOURCE: The Economic Times, June 1, 08)