Weighing Impacts and Responsibilities on Developed and

Developing Nations

Subbu KumarappanDept of Ag Food Res Economics

MSU – Lansing Feb 2nd 2009

Sponsors…

Overview

• Developing versus Developed countries –Comparison and Contrast

• Case study on India

Global Impacts

Human Activities

GHG emissions

Ice cap meltingChanges in precipitation

Ocean circulation upheavalAverage increase in

temperature

Sea level riseDisease spread

FamineEconomic lossesBiodiversity loss

Loss of –- traditional lifestyles

Political will to help people

More resources to

react withInstitutional differences

More pronouncedMigration and displacement

Females –securing water and firewood

Differential Impact on GenderAgriculture, food security

CLIMATE CHANGE:Temperature, Precipitation, Extreme EventsSECTORAL VULNERABILITIES:Water, Health, Terrestrial ecosystems, coastal zones

Developing Countries

Developed CountriesImpacts

Indian High Population Density

"Out of every 100 persons added to the population in the coming decade, 97 will live in developing countries." Hania Zlotnik, 2005 Source: World Mapper

Indian High Population Density

Asia – High population densitywill magnify the

climate change impacts

Contribution to ‘Annual’ GHG emissions - India

Who has more responsibility?

• Annual emissions – China emits more GHG than the US in 2008

• Cumulative emissions over past 100 years – US is four times larger than Chinese emissions

• Should we assign responsibility based on annual or cumulative emission levels?

India – Vulnerable to Disasters and Extreme Events

Of all people affected by disasters between 1975 and 2004, 43% live in Southern Asia, 41% live in Eastern Asia, and 5% live in Southeastern Africa. Source: World Mapper

Disasters and Extreme Events

Asia is going to be the hardest hit

due to Extreme Events

Key point:

Impacts will be similar in Asia, Africa

and many island nations –

The degree of impact varies by

locality and population density

Many types of ecosystems in India

Source: Min of

Env and Forest,

Govt of India

Types of Impacts on India

Source: Min of Env and Forest, Govt of India

Snow and glacier melt,

49% increase in water flow,

shorter winters, less

snowfall

Types of Impacts on India

Source: Min of Env and Forest, Govt of India

Loss in rice and wheat productivity (30-50%)

Types of Impacts on India

Source: Min of Env and Forest, Govt of India

Increase in

droughts

Types of Impacts on India

Source: Min of Env and Forest, Govt of India

Densely populated, low lying

cities (e.g. Mumbai)

Types of Impacts on India

Source: Min of Env and Forest, Govt of India

Mangrove forests under severe threat due to inland movement of saline water and rise in sea

levels

Types of Impacts on India

Source: Min of Env and Forest, Govt of India

Endemic diseases in densely populated,

poverty stricken areas

India – National Action Plan on Climate Change

• Multiple National Missions• Focus on Energy efficiency and Alternative

Energy (Solar, wind, biomass, IGCC; fuel economy standards, renewable energy mandates)

• Focus on carbon credits for Emissions Trading

• Focus on various ecosystems (e.gHimalayan, coastal)

Indian Missions – contd.

• Sustainable agriculture / Forestry – climate resilient crops, insurance schemes, modified agricultural practices, afforestation

• Water mission – 20% improvement in water use through pricing

• Strategic Knowledge – Climate change research fund

India ranks better…

Source: German Watch

Source: German Watch

No country

has taken enough action to rank in Top-3

Sharing Responsibilities

Technology transfer, Funding

Agriculture, food security, poverty alleviation, IPR enforcement, Indigenous tech development

Economic growthEnergy security/efficiency

India Developed Countries

Comments! Questions!!

Supporting Slides

Destruction of fuels and contribution to GHG

Source: World Mapper

Source: World Mapper

NA, Europe and Middle East – MajorSources of energy production

and use

Trend to continue –Population in 2030…

Trend to continue –Population in 2030…

Asia and Africa – Major areas affected by climate change

Example: Africa

Exception: Increase in precipitation in E Africa

Precipitation falls in general

Temperature rises 1.5x the global average

Water stress (75-220M by 2020)

Agriculture:

Shorter growing seasons, yields halved, revenues fall up to 90%, fish stocks depleted

Health:

Disease vector migration –malaria, dengue, meningitis, cholera

Terrestrial ecosystems:

Desertification, degradation of grasslands, forest fires

Coastal zones:

Inundation, sea level rise, erosion

Indian Missions - Contd

• Other ongoing initiatives: – Power generation – retiring old coal plants,

IGCC and supercritical technologies– Renewable energy – mandatory purchase– Energy efficiency – energy auditing and

labeling

Issues of Interest to India

• Indigenous technology development• CDM development and Technology

transfer• Three-pronged strategy:

1. One high-power organization to oversee all technology transfer

2. Ways to enhance IPR regime3. Funding strategies