BASIC Countries call for fast-tracking climate negotiation under UNFCCC
New Delhi, 24th January, 2010
The Ministers of the four BASIC Group countries - China, Brazil,
South Africa and India - met in New Delhi today and called for
an early resumption of the climate negotiations through the
two negotiating groups - (AWG-LCA and the AWG-KP). They called
for the early flow of the pledged $10bn by developed countries
in 2010. The Ministers agreed to work closely on climate change
negotiations and climate change science amongst themselves and
with the G-77.
India announces Expert Group on Low Carbon Economy
New Delhi, 7th January, 2010
India today announced an Expert Group to prepare a strategy
for India as a low carbon economy. The group, constituted by
the Planning Commission and headed by Shri Kirit Parikh, will
submit an interim report by end-April 2010, and a final report
by end-September 2010.
India's Copenhagen campaign a success,
Minister explains to Parliament
22nd December, 2009
The Minister for
Environment & Forests, Mr. Jairam
Ramesh, today made a suo moto statement
in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House
of Parliament, on the proceedings
of the COP-15 Summit at Copenhagen.
He reiterated how India negotiated
successfully from a position of strength
and was recognized for its constructive
approach. The Minister also announced
that India would continue to aggressively
advance its comprehensive domestic
agenda to address climate change.
Delhi Statement on Global Cooperation on Climate Technology adopted
23rd October, 2009
A two day high-level conference
on "Climate Change: Technology Development and Transfer"
hosted by India and UN-DESA successfully concluded today with
the adoption of the Delhi Statement on Global Cooperation on
Climate Technology. An international exhibition on climate technologies
was also organised at the sidelines of the conference.
India details its constructive position on Climate Change
3rd December, 2009
The Minister for Environment & Forests, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, today gave a detailed account on India’s position on climate change to Members of India’s lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, following a lengthy 4 hour discussion on the subject. Mr. Ramesh emphasized that no country is as vulnerable to climate change as India, and that it has to take strong actions in its own self interest. He stressed on the need for greater domestic scientific assessment of the impact of climate change. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and equitable global agreement, elucidated India’s non-negotiables, and declared India’s intention to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20-25% between the year 2005 and 2020.
Ministry releases Discussion Paper on State of Himalayan Glaciers
9th November, 2009
A Discussion Paper on the state of Himalayan Glaciers, prepared by Mr V K Raina, ex Deputy Director of GSI, was released today by the Minister for Environment & Forests, Mr Jairam Ramesh. The Paper presents a detailed historical review of the research to date spanning more than 50 years, and includes a perspective on the impact of climate change on the glaciers. The Ministry invites comments on the Paper.
India's forests
and tree cover accounts for 23.4%
of its geographical area. India's
forests help sustain the livelihoods
of over 200 million citizens and also
serve as a major carbon sink. This
publication provides a valuable snapshot
of the value of carbon stored in India's
forests, and the extent of emissions
that this helps neutralise.
Delhi
Statement on Global Cooperation on Climate Technology
adopted
23rd
October, 2009
A
two day high-level conference on "Climate
Change: Technology Development and Transfer"
hosted by India and UN-DESA successfully concluded
today with the adoption of the Delhi Statement
on Global Cooperation on Climate Technology. An
international exhibition on climate technologies
was also organised at the sidelines of the conference.
India launches International Year of Biodiversity, to host “Rio+20” Summit
4th January, 2010
India today launched a calendar of events to mark the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) to raise awareness about the underlying threats to and the need for biodiversity conservation. India will be hosting the eleventh COP to the CBD in October 2012 in New Delhi, that will mark the twentieth anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit.
India State of Forest Report 2009 shows further
increase in forest cover
30th November, 2009
The India State of Forest Report. prepared by the Forest Survey of India, was released today by Dr Vijay Kelkar, Chairman, Thirteenth Finance Commission, Dr Kasturirangan, Member, Planning Commission, and Mr Jairam Ramesh, Minister for Environment & Forests. The Report estimates that India's forest and tree cover in 2007 is 78.37 million ha (23.84% of India's geographical area). This is an increase over the previous assessment. The Report, the eleventh edition in a biennial series, has a number of methodological improvements over previous editions.
Delhi becomes first Indian state to launch Action Plan on Climate Change
New Delhi, 5th November, 2009
The National Capital Territory of Delhi has announced an action plan comprising 65 specific actions to address climate change as part of the State's development policy framework by 2012. Mr. Jairam Ramesh, India's Environment Minister and Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Delhi's Chief Minister, jointly released this agenda, which is aligned with the country's National Action Plan on Climate Change.
The Ganga River Basin enjoys a place of great significance in
our country. This Report provides a comprehensive insight into
the course and nature of the river while putting forth an action
plan to tackle the challenges faced in the management of the
same.
Governance for Sustainable Himalayan
Ecosystem (G-SHE)
Guidelines and Best Practices
The Himalayas are a unique natural asset and the Indian Himalayan
Region (IHR) forms the major share of this. This report presents
a set of guidelines and best practices for the governance and
sustainable management of the Himalayan ecosystem.
South Asian Nations
agree on major actions on environment, biodiversity and climate
change
New Delhi, 20th October, 2009
The Environment Ministers of the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) met in Delhi today and agreed on
a Delhi Statement, agreeing on specific joint actions to further
strengthen environmental governance, biodiversity conservation,
and climate change cooperation. They also agreed to hold a joint
side event on climate change, voicing the shared concerns of
the Region at the COP-15 in Copenhagen.
India's National Environment Protection
Authority (NEPA)
Discussion Paper
This Ministry discussion
paper addresses the need for a new model of environmental governance
in India which includes the creation of a NEPA. The document
presents four design options and invites feedback from states,
civil society and other stakeholders.