NATIONAL STRATEGY STUDY FOR
CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM IN INDIA LAUNCHED
The Minister for
Environment & Forests Shri T.R. Baalu has said that India
is committed to the cause of global environment and sustainable
development by acceding to the Kyoto Protocol. Launching the National
Strategy Study for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) implementation
in India here today Shri Baalu said that work is currently in
progress to prepare a detailed national inventory of green house
gas, identification of vulnerability and adaptation concerns and
steps taken for the implementation of the Convention.
"Climate Change
is a matter of grave concern for developing countries like India,
which are highly vulnerable to its potential impacts on water
resources, natural ecosystems, agriculture and coastal area. Despite
India’s low share in atmospheric green house gas concentrations
and its overriding development priorities, the country is undertaking
numerous initiatives that contribute significantly to international
efforts for atmospheric protection, thus adopting a path of climate-friendly
development", Shri Baalu said.
The Minister said
India’s development plans balance economic development and environmental
concerns. The planning process is guided by the principles of
sustainable development. He said, reforms in the energy and power
sector have accelerated economic growth and improved efficiency
of energy use. These have been complemented by notable initiatives
taken by the private sector. In the last few years, several measures
have been taken like increasing the capacity of renewable energy
installations, improving air quality in major cities and enhancing
afforestation.
Shri Baalu disclosed
that a Climate Technology Bazaar and related Conferences will
be being hosted by the Government of India from 10th to 13th
November, 2003. To be held a New Delhi over a period of four days,
the Climate Technology Bazaar will showcase climate-friendly technologies
from India and around the world. In conjunction with the Bazaar,
the Ministry of Environment & Forests will also host a high
level International Round Table on CDM, jointly organized by The
Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the World Business Council
for Sustainable Development. This event will bring together senior
representatives of government and business from India and abroad
to explore how the CDM can help to master the dual challenge of
addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development.
Delivering the keynote
address, Mr. Walter Gyger, Ambassador of Switzerland said that
with its large potential of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,
India could significantly influence the emerging carbon market.
It is in this perspective that the NSS gains importance and its
outcome will be observed with great expectations.
Welcoming the gathering,
Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director General, TERI, said that India is
going to be an important arena for CDM projects. India should
establish a strategy to implement CDM and developing countries
only stood to benefit from it.
Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud,
Operations Advisor, The World Bank, pointed out that with all
round degradation of the environment, people had to ask themselves,
what kind of world it was leaving behind for their children. We
need to move into a non-carbon intensive structure, he said.
Mr. Pradipto Ghosh,
Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests said that the Kyoto
Protocal had set the ground for a negative carbon market and India
now had to identify numerous market opportunities that had been
created.
The National Strategy
Study on CDM has been initiated in India to assess the issues
and opportunities presented by potential international markets
for greenhouse gases offset through the CDM and to evaluate processes
and methodologies to facilitate implementation of CDM in India.
The main output of the 12-month long study will be the development
of a national strategy for India to participate in the global
efforts to reduce GHG emissions, utilizing this market mechanism
as defined under the Kyoto Protocol.
