CLIMATE REPARATION

General Studies 3 >> Disaster Management

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CLIMATE REPARATION

1. Introduction

Climate reparations refer to a call for money to be paid by the Global North to the Global South as a means of addressing the historical contributions that the Global North has made (and continues to make) toward climate change.
“The Global North must own up to that responsibility of paying what they are due to the Global South,”
In it, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change argues that roughly 3.5 billion people – 45% of the world’s population – currently live in areas of “high vulnerability” to climate change, meaning they will be heavily impacted by floods, droughts or extreme weather in the decades to come.

2. The argument associated with historical emission

At its heart, the demand for compensation for loss and damage from climate disasters is an extension of the universally acknowledged “Polluter Pays” principle that makes the polluter liable for paying not just for the cost of remedial action, but also for compensating the victims of environmental damage caused by their actions.
In the climate change framework, the burden of responsibility falls on those rich countries that have contributed most of the greenhouse gas emissions since 1850, generally considered to be the beginning of the industrial age.
The United States and the European Union, including the UK, account for over 50% of all emissions during this time.
If Russia, Canada, Japan, and Australia too are included, the combined contribution goes past 65% or almost two-thirds of all emissions.
Historical responsibility is important because carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, and it is the cumulative accumulation of this carbon dioxide that causes global warming.
A Country like India, currently the third largest emitter, accounts for only 3% of historical emissions.

China, which is the world’s biggest emitter for over 15 years now, has contributed about 11% to total emissions since 1850.

While the impact of climate change is global, iris much more severe on the poorer nations because of their geographical locations and weaker capacity to cope.
This is what is giving rise to demands for loss and damage compensation. Countries that have had negligible contributions to historical emissions and have severe limitations of resources are the ones that face the most devastating impacts of climate change.

3. The responsibility of Reparation

It lays down the broad principles of the global effort to fight climate change. It explicitly acknowledges this differentiated responsibility of nations.

The WIM for Loss and Damages, was set up in 2013. It was the first formal acknowledgement of the need to compensate developing countries struck by climate disasters.

4. Steps taken by India to tackle Climate Change

5. How India can contribute to the Climate crisis across the Indian Subcontinent

Formation of knowledge networks among the existing knowledge institutions engaged in research and development relating to climate science and facilitate data sharing and exchange through a suitable policy framework and institutional support.
Establishment of global technology watch groups with institutional capacities to research risk minimized technology selection for developmental choices
Development of national capacity for modelling the regional impact of climate change on different ecological zones within the country for different seasons and living standards.
Establishing research networks and encouraging research in the areas of climate change impacts on important socio-economic sectors like agriculture, health, natural ecosystem, biodiversity, coastal zones, etc.
Providing an improved understanding and awareness of the key climate processes and the resultant climate risks and associated consequences.
Building alliances and partnerships through global collaboration in research & technology development on climate change under International and bilateral S&T cooperation arrangements.

6. Need of the Hour

Building human and institutional capacities in the different existing/new Institutions in the Himalayan region.
Identification of national knowledge institutions and development of a self-sustaining knowledge network.
Development and adoption of new methods for assessing the health of the Himalayan ecosystem including those of glaciers and creating a data base of the same.
Assessment and quantification of the changes in the Himalayan ecosystem attributable to climate change as a result of global emissions and human activities in the region and model for future projections
Exploration of linking of traditional and formal knowledge systems through the strategic mechanism of formalization for mutual benefit and value for the sustainability of the Himalayan ecosystem
Identification of most-desirable Adaptation Policies to Improve Regional Sustainability

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