Low Carbon Strategies for Inclusive Growth an Interim Report

Abstract

The threat of climate change is a serious global concern. There is near consensus among scientists that the threat is due to man- made emissions of Greenhouse Gases and probabilities of different degrees of temperature change have already been estimated by the Inter-governmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC). Background Increase in anthropogenic activities since the advent of industrialisation in the mid-18th century has led to cumulative accumulation of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) in the earth's atmosphere (IPCC, AR4, 2007; see Box 1.1). Increased concentrations of GHGs and the overall warming of the atmosphere has resulted in changing rainfall patterns, disruption in hydrological cycles, melting of ice caps and glaciers, rise in sea levels, and increase in frequency and intensity of extreme events such as heavy precipitation and cyclonic activities. These have in turn had serious impact on sustainability of water resources, agriculture, forests and ecosystems, affecting the well being of billions of people on earth.