CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE TO BEGIN TOMORROW TO FOCUS ON DEVELOPING COUNTRIES’ CONCERNS

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The United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP – 8) beginning in New Delhi from October 23, 2002 will focus on the concerns of the developing countries including adaptation to climate change, development and transfer of technology, reviewing of financial mechanisms to enable enhanced flow of resources etc. The 10 day conference will conclude on November 1, 2002 with the adoption of a Delhi Declaration highlighting the framework of action for implementation to effectively address the climate change concerns.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which forms the basis for global cooperation in respect of climate change issues clearly acknowledged that developing countries will be the worst affected by climate change. The previous 7 climate change conferences have focused mostly on mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and sorting out various financial and institutional issues. The Delhi Conference would hence focus on adaptation issues with a view to enable, particularly, the developing countries to cope up with the challenges of climate change including its adverse impacts on various sectors like agriculture, human health, coastal areas etc. Capacity building in developing countries to enable enhanced knowledge and understanding of the climate change processes for taking effective counteractions will be discussed at length.

COP – 8 will take up review of implementation of the commitments of various countries under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change. Review of financial mechanism includes providing guidelines to operationalise new funds like Adaptation Fund. The Delhi Conference assumes significance as it will discuss preparatory measures in respect of the Kyoto Protocol on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions coming into force. The United Nations is of the view that this important Protocol is likely to come into force early next year.

The 10 – day Delhi Conference will be inaugurated by the Union Environment and Forests Minister, Shri T. R. Baalu tomorrow. Official level negotiations beginning on the 24^th of this month will conclude on the 29^th. These discussions will be held by the Subsidiary Body on Science and Technology Advice (SBSTA) and Subsidiary Body on Implementation. The high level Ministerial segment will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the 30^th of this month. The meeting of Ministers from about 185 countries will come out with the Delhi Declaration which would provide the necessary political momentum for implementation of various measures for effectively meeting the consequences of climate change. Shri Baalu will be holding discussions with the leaders of delegations from various countries within the Conference to evolve consensus on the Delhi Declaration.

More that 4000 delegates from 185 countries which are Parties to United Nations Convention on Climate Change are likely to participate in the 10-day conference. While Vigyan Bhawan is the venue for official meetings, meetings and other activities of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) will be held at India Habitat Centre. An exhibition showcasing India’s advances on the path of environment friendly development will be organised at Hotel Ashok from the 28^th of this month.

The previous 7 conferences beginning in 1995 were held in Berlin, Geneva, Kyoto, Buenos Aires, Bonn, The Hague and Marrakech.

Both under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, the developed countries were required to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by specific targets while the developing countries were required to prepare National Inventories of greenhouse gas emissions, source wise.

The Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change has reported that the average earth temperatures are likely to rise by 1.4 degrees C to 5.8 degrees C by the year 2001 while the sea levels are likely to rise by 9 centimetres to 80 centimetres as a result of climate change. This will result in increased intensity of droughts and floods, heat waves, tropical cyclones besides variability in rainfall patterns. If necessary measures are not taken, it will have adverse impacts on agriculture, food production, people living in coastal areas and human health etc.