Impact of Climate Change and Government Initiatives on Climate Change in

India

Submitted to
SVKM’s
NMIMS University

In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for

Part Time MBA III YR in Social Entrepreneurship
(2010-2011)

Jyotika. Bhatia,
Roll No: 03

2010-2011

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 Impact of Climate Change and Government initiatives on climate change in
India1

Globalization and Climate Change have become very crucial issues in today’s world because of
fast-paced development. Globalization has wide and lasting effects on climate change. Hence
climate change issues have become priority and needs to be given immediate attention. The essence
of the paper is to comprehend the various initiatives for combating climate change. This has been
achieved by studying the initiatives taken at National and International level with particular focus
on the initiatives taken by Indian government for reducing impact of climate. The last section of the
paper identifies gaps in the implementation of the existing policies and how it impacts achievement
of goal of sustainable development.

Introduction

The concepts of sustainable development and globalization have been gaining much importance
since last few decades. The idea of sustainable development evolved from the various
environmental movements around 1970’s. The first definition of sustainable development was
coined in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland
Commission 1987) as, ‘Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs’2. In other words, Sustainable development is
maintaining a delicate balance between the human need to improve their lifestyles and well-being
along with preserving the natural resources and eco-systems, on which the current and the future
generations depend.

During the last few decades, as sustainable development gained importance the human dynamics,
institutional change, political relations and the global environment have become successively
1
Jyotika Bhatia, PTMBA in Social Entrepreneurship III. Paper presented on December
11, 2009 at NMIMS University towards the course on ‘Social Development’. The author
is indebted to the course guide Ms. Aditi. Punekar, Social Enterprise Cell, NMIMS
University, Mumbai, for her guidance, valuable insights and expertise.
2
Wikipedia, Sustainable Development. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2010 from http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_development

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intertwined. The process of global economic integration, global forms of governance, globally
inter-linked social and environmental developments came to be known as globalization. According
to ‘Globalisation and Emerging Economies’, the term "globalization" was first used, in 1985 by
Theodre Levitt, in his paper titled "The Globalization of Markets" to characterize the vast changes
that have taken place over the past two decades in the international economy, the rapid and
pervasive diffusion around the world of production, consumption and investment and trade in
goods, services, capital and technology. The term can also refer to the transnational circulation of
ideas, languages, or popular culture through acculturation.3

While the term sustainability has three major dimensions, social, economic and environmental,
globalization goes beyond these dimensions to include all fields from economic, cultural, political,
information, communication, technology environment and so on.

The process of globalization has ushered an era of fast pace development and its effects are visible
in social and environmental context. Environmentalists around the world are debating about the
effects of globalization on environment. Globalization has increased environmental concerns such
as exploitation of natural resources, depletion of non-renewable energy resources, degradation of
the quality of the environment and climate change. The issue of climate change is one that is
particularly disturbing because it encompasses so many ecological, social, economic, political and
ethical aspects. The global warming is leading to climate change in a way which may be deadly and
irreversible. There are many international and national initiatives taken to focus on the climate
change issue. The prominent international initiatives on climate change are Kyoto Protocol4 and
International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP)5. The national initiatives on climate change include
India’s initial National Communication (NATCOM) to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change, extensive methane measurement campaign, measures to contribute to Green
House Gases (GHG) mitigation and so on.6

3
Wikipedia (n.d.).Globalization. Retrieved October 17, 2010 From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_development
4
The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC or FCCC), aimed at fighting global warming.
5
ICAP is an international cooperation forum between states and substate regions aiming to link
regional Emission Trading Schemes (ETS).
6
India and UNFCCC, Climate Change, Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Retrieved
November 7, 2010, from http://envfor.nic.in/cc/india_unfccc.htm

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In this context, the paper focuses on the effect of globalization on climate change. It further
emphasizes on the various initiatives undertaken to address climate change issues in India.

Globalization and its Impact

According to World Trade Organization (2006), Globalization can be defined as a historical stage
of accelerated expansion of market capitalism, like the one experienced in the 19th century with the
industrial revolution. It is a fundamental transformation in societies because of the recent
technological revolution which has led to a recombining of the economic and social forces on a new
territorial dimension7. On the other hand, the World Bank (2001) defines globalization as ‘the
growing integration of economies and societies around the world’8. In simple words globalization
can be defined as a process of increasing interconnectedness among different countries around the
world.

The globalization has contributed to the development of economical, health, social, cultural,
ecological and so on. Globalization has positive and negative impact on environment to a large
extend. In terms of positive impact it has increased the income generation capacity of Multinational
Companies (MNC’s) which has created more resources for environment protection. The increased
environmental concerns have lead to development of greener and cleaner technology which helps
protect the environment. Globalization has assisted in improving the use of resources and saving the
environment by promoting growth through development, improving education and incomes. An
example of greener technology is the new ‘green’ Apple Mac which has been built “using
materials that are highly recyclable and free of many of the harmful substances present in other
computers.” The software and hardware have also been designed to work together to make the
computer more energy efficient and thereby minimize the carbon footprint of the MacBook.

The negative impact of globalization can be seen in the patterns leading to destruction and
disruption of environment which are interlinked with climate change issues. Economic

7
What is Globalization, (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2010 from
http://www.genderandhealth.ca/en/modules/globalization/globalization_what_is-01.jsp
8
Ibid

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globalization has led to the restructuring or demise of local industries, such as fisheries or forestry.
The over exploitation of natural resources and disruption of eco-systems due to population growth
have led to larger negative impact on the environment. The extensive deforestation for the reasons
of demand or expansion has caused loss of biological diversity on the planet. Along with
deforestation, globalization also includes exploitation of other natural resources for example, over
fishing causes the reduction of fish below the acceptable level.

The greatest negative impact of globalization, however, can be seen in forms of climate change and
global warming. The industrial revolutions have led to unprecedented changes in the chemical
composition of the earth’s atmosphere. The global atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide and
Green House Gases (GHG)9 caused by a growth of industrialization are largely responsible for
global warming. Carbon release into the atmosphere which has caused global warming has resulted
in increases of sea levels as ice sheets and glaciers melt impact on biodiversity and weather
systems. Average global temperatures have risen approximately 0.6°C since the late 19th century
due to GHG emission. According to climate change performance index by German Watch (2010)
China is leading carbon dioxide emitter, emitting 20.96% of global CO2 followed by United States
emitting 19.92%. As compared to these countries India emits 4.57% of CO2 and the least CO2 is
emitted by United Kingdom with on 1.81%10.

Climate Change

Climate change refers to a statistically significant variation in either the mean state of the climate or
in its variability, persisting for an extended period (typically decades or longer). Climate change
may be due to natural internal processes or external forcing or due to persistent anthropogenic
changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use11. It may be a change in the average
weather conditions or a change in the distribution of weather events with respect to an average, for

9
A greenhouse gas (GHG) is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within
the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect.
The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide,
methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.
10
Burck. J, Bals. C., Rossow.V. (December 2009). The climate change performance index
Results 2010, Retrieved October 31, 2010 from
http://www.germanwatch.org/klima/ccpi2010.pdf
11
Climate Change (n.d.) Retrieved October 31, 2010 from http://envfor.nic.in/cc/what.htm

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example, greater or fewer extreme weather events. Climate change may be limited to a specific
region, or may occur across the whole Earth. In recent usage, especially in the context of
environmental policy, climate change usually refers to changes in modern climate.

The issue of climate change includes changes in temperature and precipitation which may adversely
affect freshwater availability and quality in many areas. It could also aggravate current problems of
biodiversity loss and desertification. Local and regional air pollution, land degradation, and changes
in forest cover are some of the other factors that could affect climate by changing the sources and
sinks of greenhouse gases, and the extent to which solar radiation is absorbed or reflected.

Climate change is not a new phenomenon it has occurred over a period of time in a gradual process.
In recent times the rapid changes occurring has left ecosystems vulnerable. Though climate change
is a global problem, people are not all equally responsible for causing it. The industrialised nations,
representing less than 20% of the world's population, account for nearly 90% of annual GHG
emissions over the last century, largely through the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)12

Over the last decade the global temperature has rose from 1oC in some regions to 4oC in other
warmer regions13. On the other hand it is estimated by the end of century, global sea-level has
increased by 2.5 - 6.5 feet14. In the Climate Change report, scientists estimate that climate change
effects will be observed across the globe in form of sea-level rise, the loss of sea ice, changes in
weather patterns, water availability and quality and may also threaten ecosystems and public
health15.

The Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment report has estimated similar effects of climate
change in India by 2030. The annual mean surface air temperature will rise by 1.7o C to 2.0 o C, with

12
Globalization and Climate Change (2002), Retrieved October 31, 2010 from
http://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/wcc-programmes/justice-diakonia-and-
responsibility-for-creation/climate-change-water/globalization-and-climate-change.html
13
Climate Change 101 (January, 2009) Climate Change 101: Understanding and
Responding to Global Climate Change, The Pew Centeron Global Climate Change and the Pew
Center on the States.
14
Ibid
15
Climate Change 101 (January, 2009) Climate Change 101: Understanding and
Responding to Global Climate Change, The Pew Centeron Global Climate Change and the Pew
Center on the States.

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the extreme temperature increasing to of 4oC. The report also predicts increase in sea-level and
number of cyclones along with other natural calamities, which will impact our growth and overall
development16.

Need for Climate Change Policy Initiatives

The climate change issue requires urgent action in areas of policy formation. The policy makers
suggest to integrate the climate change objectives in relevant policy areas such as energy, transport,
building agriculture or forestry, and other measures to speed technological innovation and
diffusion17.

Adoption of this climate change policies have become a priority. It is a long term process which
includes variety of things from creating awareness to integrating into sectoral planning and
implementation of specific adaption options. Along with policy level changes the climate change
issues also requires legal and institutional level changes which are flexible, preventive, forward-
looking and which outweigh the cost18. For example climate change adaptation could be facilitated
through greater use of market-based instruments such as efficient water pricing and water markets,
and risk-based insurance for properties, floods and droughts19.

In the wake of reducing the GHG emissions many countries have come together and working with
United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCC) to develop a comprehensive
climate change action.

Global Initiatives on Climate Change

16
Climate Change and India (November, 2010) Indian Network of Climate Change Assessment
Report, Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
17
Policy Brief (2007, August). Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development report.
Retrieved November 19, 2010 from http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/58/18/39111309.pdf
18
Policy Brief (2007, August). How to address climate change adaptation? Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development report. Retrieved November 20, 2010 from
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/58/18/39111309.pdf
19
Ibid

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There are number of Climate Change initiatives taken gloablly post 1960’s. The oldest initiative can
be dated back to 1968, when UNESCO arranged International Conference for Rational Use and
Conservation of Biosphere. During the decade of 1970 there were seven different conference across
the global to discuss about the conservation of environment and ecosphere. In the 1980’s the
Brudtland Commssion Report and Montreal Protocol stressed upon the demand for sustainable
development by conserving the environment followed by formation of The Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change by United Nations and World Metreological Organization (WMO) in
1988 to assess the risk of human-induced climate change. In 1995 the first conference of Parties to
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Conference of Parties (COP) agreed to reduce
worldwide emissions of GHGs, more than 170 nations ratified the Convention20.

Amongst the various initiatives the prominent one is kyoto protocol wherein 38 developed countries
agreed to reduce their emissions of minimum six key GHG’s and they also agreed to cut back their
emissions by at least 5% below 1990 levels by 2012. Industrialized nations like India and China,
which have constrained resources had no set binding targets but have the option to set voluntary
reduction targets21.

Indian Initiatives on Climate Change

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry has been assigned as the nodal agency for dealing with
climate change issues. There have been number of initiatives taken by India for climate change
mitigation. One of the initial initiatives on climate change was India ratifying the UNFCC on
November 1, 1993. India accepted Kyoto protocol on 26th August 2002. India signed the protocol
with aim to get benefits from transfer of technology and additional foreign investments into
renewable energy, energy generation and efficiency promotion and afforestation projects.

The Indian government has been taking number of initiatives for climate change post 2000 starting
with the Energy Conservation Act of 2001 for laying guidelines for effective use of energy and

20
Timeline to Global Consensus, (n.d.). Global initiatives and key events on Climate Change.
Retrieved November 25, 2010 from www.plan-
edresources.org/assets/view/RCDOCUMENT1840.pdf
21
Wikipedia. (n.d.) Kyoto Protocol. Retrieved November 25, 2010 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol

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promoting its conservation22. In 2006 government of India launched National Environmental Policy
(NEP) which was build on earlier policies like National Forest Policy, 1988, National
Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, 1992 Policy
Statement on Abatement of Pollution,199223. The NEP highlighted climate change issues and the
fact of rise in release of harmful GHG emissions by India. It also recommended steps for climate
change mitigation and crucial elements required for the same24.

Following the NEP, the government focused on the issue of environment and climate change as
important part of sustainable and inclusive growth. In the Eleventh Five Year Plan, government
outlines two main steps to be taken as responses to climate change – The first relates to measures to
be taken as a result of adverse effects of climate change. The second is mitigation strategy; steps to
be taken that might reduce the extent of climate change25. As a part of adaption measures the Prime
Minister’s Council on climate change released a National Action Plan on Climate Change
(NAPCC) compiling of actions taken and actions proposed by India for addressing climate change
on June 30, 2008. The Action Plan covered mechanism to deal with key vulnerabilities of India to
Climate Change and, in particular, the impact on water resources, forests, coastal areas, agriculture,
and health26. There were also State Action Plans on Climate Change wherein Delhi was the first
State to release its climate change action plan27. As a part of mitigation strategy the government
focuses on the efforts to continuously decline the intensity of GHG emissions. In order to fulfill the
missions mentioned in the National Action Plan on Climate Change the government has launched
20 key initiatives in five major sectors namely Forestry, Energy & CDM, Research, Outreach and
key Events28.

22
Energy Conservation Act (2001) Power Ministry of India. Retrieved December 2, 2010 from
http://www.powermin.nic.in/acts_notification/energy_conservation_act/index.htm
23
National Environmental Policy (2006) The Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Retrieved
December 3, 2010 from http://envfor.nic.in/nep/nep2006.html
24
Ibid
25
Environment and Climate Change (2007) Eleventh Five Year Plan. Retrieved December 3,
2010 from planningcommission.gov.in/plans/planrel/fiveyr/11th/11_v1/11v1_ch9.pdf
26
Ibid
27
India Taking on Climate Change (January 6, 2010) 24 Recent Initiatives Related to Climate
Change. Retrieved December 3, 2010 from
moef.nic.in/downloads/public.../24_Recent_Initiatives_CC.pdf
28
India Taking on Climate Change (September 1, 2009) Twenty Recent Initiatives Related to
Climate Change. Retrieved December 7, 2010 from http://moef.nic.in/modules/about-the-
ministry/CCD/twenty_CC_initiatives.pdf

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Another initiative was The Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA) launched on 7
October 2009 which is a proposed network of scientists in India to be set up to publish peer-
reviewed findings on climate change in India29

Other Initiatives by National Level Organization

Apart from International and National initiatives on Climate Change, there are plenty of
independent agencies, forums and private organizations working on issue of climate change. For
instance, The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) which is working towards global sustainable
development in India has formed a forum to make available informed public discussions and
decisions on key climate change issues to general public30. Another national organization, Centre
for Policy Research, has started climate initiative to conduct research and analysis on global climate
initiatives and negotiations, links between the global climate regime and domestic laws, policies
and institutions in India. It also seeks to create a platform from which scholars and activists can
engage in policy and academic debate on climate change31.

Conclusion

Climate Change has been a much debated topic since the past few decades. Undertaking Climate
Change mitigation measures has become one of the priority issues for developed and developing
nations. According to the recent Copenhagen Conference, India is a country which already has and
is expected to be severely impacted by climate change issue. Indian government in its National Plan
on Climate Change has outlined missions in different sectors which is the first step by Indian
government towards achieving its mission of sustainable development. So far there has been delay
in realizing the National Mission on Climate Change. Much focus is given on the reducing GHG
emissions, afforestation measures and setting up of industries in energy sector and very limited in
areas of rise-in sea-level, controlling and managing natural calamities and so on. Till date the
29
Wikipedia (n.d.) Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA). Retrieved
December 3, 2010 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Network_on_Climate_Change_Assessment
30
Climate Change Forum (n.d.). The Energy and Resource Institute. Retrieved December 7,
2010 from http://www.teriin.org/climate-change/index.php
31
Climate Initiative (n.d.) Centre for Policy Research. Retrieved December 7, 2010 from
http://www.cprindia.org/category/initiatives/climate-initiative

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climate change has not been defined as a sector and the fact that climate change encompasses lot
many areas is visible only in the reports predicting effects of climate change and is less visible in
actual measures taken for mitigation. There have been very few examples of implementation of
project which follow all or most of the policies of climate change. In such a scenario, climate
change issue remains a mere topic of discussion and if India continues to grow at this rate our views
on development have to be relooked and the real question therefore before the Indian government is
that is our development really sustainable?

References

Report:

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 • Climate Change and India (November, 2010) Indian Network of Climate Change
Assessment Report, Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Retrieved October 31, 2010

Journal Articles:

• Burck. J, Bals. C., Rossow.V. (December 2009). The climate change performance index
Results 2010, Retrieved October 31, 2010 from
http://www.germanwatch.org/klima/ccpi2010.pdf
• India Taking on Climate Change (September 1, 2009) Twenty Recent Initiatives Related to
Climate Change. Retrieved December 7, 2010 from http://moef.nic.in/modules/about-the-
ministry/CCD/twenty_CC_initiatives.pdf
• India Taking on Climate Change. (January 6, 2010). 24 Recent Initiatives Related to
Climate Change. Retrieved December 3, 2010 from
moef.nic.in/downloads/public.../24_Recent_Initiatives_CC.pdf
• Karen.L, Robin. M. (2000) Double exposure: assessing the impacts of climate change within
the context of economic globalization, Environmental Change 10 221}232
• Policy Brief (2007, August). How to address climate change adaptation? Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development report. Retrieved November 20, 2010 from
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/58/18/39111309.pdf
• Policy Brief (2007, August). Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
report. Retrieved November 19, 2010 from
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/58/18/39111309.pdf
• Timeline to Global Consensus, (n.d.). Global initiatives and key events on Climate Change.
Retrieved November 25, 2010 from www.plan-
edresources.org/assets/view/RCDOCUMENT1840.pdf

Web Documents:

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on the States.
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http://www.cprindia.org/category/initiatives/climate-initiative
• Energy Conservation Act. (2001). Power Ministry of India. Retrieved December 2, 2010
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• Wikipedia. (n.d.) Kyoto Protocol. Retrieved November 25, 2010 from
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