We, at Institute for Pioneering Insightful Research & Edutech Pvt. Ltd (InsPIRE) are happy to announce that Dr Debesh Roy, Chairman, InsPIRE was recently engaged as a Consultant by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for the preparation of the NABARD Sustainability Report 2021-2022.
Tag: CLIMATE CHANGE
IPCC Assessment Report 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change
Bijetri Roy, Managing Director & Chief Strategy Officer, InsPIRE
On 4th April, 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published their IPCC Assessment Report 2022 on Mitigation of Climate Change by Working Group III (WG-III).
The Working Group III report provides an updated global assessment of climate change mitigation progress and pledges, and examines the sources of global emissions. It explains developments in emission reduction and mitigation efforts, assessing the impact of national climate pledges in relation to long-term emissions goals.
Let’s look at the key highlights of this report:
2010-2019: Average annual GHG emissions at highest levels in human history
As per the report, GHG emissions were 54% higher in 2019 than in 1990, however, the growth is slowing down. Global net anthropogenic GHG levels are at 59 GtCO2e. Average annual rate of growth has slowed to 1.3% per year in 2010-19 as compared to 2.1% per year during 2000-09.
At least 18 countries have reduced their GHG emissions for more than a period of 10 years through various measures like energy efficiency, decarbonization and reduced demands for energy.
Current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are insufficient
Current pledges to the Paris Agreement are insufficient and emissions must fall 43% by 2030 compared to 2019. Unless there are immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, 1.5°C is beyond reach.
Increased evidence of climate action
There is an increased evidence of climate action. LDCs have emitted only 3.3% of global emissions in 2019, but carbon inequality still prevails with the average per capita emissions in 2019 being 1.7 tCO2e, as compared to the global average of 6.9 tCO2e.
In some cases, costs for renewables have fallen below those of fossil fuels
Electricity systems in some countries and regions are already predominantly powered by renewables
Limiting warming to 1.5 °C
Global GHG emissions peak before 2025, reduced by 43% by 2030. Methane reduced by 34% by 2030. (based on IPCC-assessed scenarios)
Limiting warming to around 2°C
Global GHG emissions peak before 2025, reduced by 27% by 2030. (based on IPCC-assessed scenarios)
The temperature will stabilize when we reach net zero emissions
There are options available now in every sector that can at least halve emissions by 2030
Energy
⎻ Major transitions are required to limit global warming
⎻ Reduction in fossil fuel use and use of carbon capture and storage
⎻ Low- or no-carbon energy systems
⎻ Widespread electrification and improved energy efficiency
⎻ Alternative fuels: e.g. hydrogen and sustainable biofuels
Demand and services
⎻ Potential to bring down global emissions by 40-70% by 2050
⎻ Walking and cycling, electrified transport, reducing air travel, and adapting houses make large contributions
⎻ Lifestyle changes require systemic changes across all of society
⎻ Some people require additional housing, energy and resources for human wellbeing
Transport
⎻ Reducing demand and low-carbon technologies are key to reducing emissions
⎻ Electric vehicles: greatest potential
⎻ Battery technology: advances could assist electric rail, trucks
⎻ Aviation and shipping: alternative fuels (low-emission hydrogen and biofuels) needed
⎻ Overall, substantial potential but depends on decarbonizing the power sector
Carbon Dioxide Removal
⎻ Required to counterbalance hard-to-eliminate emissions
⎻ Through biological methods: reforestation, and soil carbon sequestration
⎻ New technologies require more research, up-front investment, and proof of concept at larger scales
⎻ Essential to achieve net zero
⎻ Agreed methods for measuring, reporting and verification required
Policies, regulatory and economic instruments
⎻ Regulatory and economic instruments have already proven effective in reducing emissions
⎻ Policy packages and economy-wide packages are able to achieve systemic change
⎻ Ambitious and effective mitigation requires coordination across government and society
Technology and Innovation
⎻ Investment and policies push forward low emissions technological innovation
⎻ Effective decision making requires assessing potential benefits, barriers and risks
⎻ Some options are technically viable, rapidly becoming cost-effective, and have relatively high public support. Other options face barriers
⎻ Adoption of low-emission technologies is slower in most developing countries, particularly the least developed ones
The evidence is clear: The time for action is now
IPCC Assessment Report 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
Bijetri Roy, Managing Director, InsPIRE
IPCC’s Working Group – II (WG-II) has recently finalized their Assessment Report 2022 on the Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability relating to climate change and the global climate crisis on 27th February, 2022.
This report has pointed out stark findings on the impact of the current global warming of 1.1℃ on human and ecological systems. It also warns how the ability of humans to respond to the current global warming patterns will be increasingly limited with every additional increase in global warming temperatures. The report recognizes the interdependence of climate, biodiversity, humans and ecosystems (Figure 1).
Let’s look at some key findings in the 6th Assessment Report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.
India at COP-26: Presenting the Panchamrit of LIFE
Bijetri Roy, Managing Director & Chief Strategy Officer, InsPIRE
On the first day of the UNCCC COP-26 in Glasgow, Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi silenced critics who were trying to write off the vision of India at COP-26 as “not bold” by setting out a bold vision with action. From net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070 backed with strong achievable commitments, to suggesting a just, equitable, human-centric and planet-positive world, India is surely set to make the world a better place, to say the least!
India’s announcement comprised the Panchamrit (5 elements for climate action):
- Non-fossil electricity capacity of 500 GW by 2030;
- 50% electricity capacity from renewable energy by 2030;
- 1 billion tonne carbon emission reduction by 2030;
- 45% reduction in carbon emission intensity of GDP by 2030;
- Net-zero emissions by 2070.
To quote the Hon’ble Prime Minister, “All of us have to make a conscious choice. The choice of crores of people will mitigate the fight against Climate Change with each passing day.” He suggested that we all make the conscious effort of adopting LIFE (lifestyle for environment).
Developed nations should be expected to make climate finance of USD 1 trillion available at the earliest because it is important to track climate finance just the way we track the progress of climate mitigation and appropriate pressure should be created upon those that don’t meet their climate finance commitments.
सम्-गच्छ-ध्वम्,सम्-व-दद्वम्,सम्वोमानसिजानताम् (Let’s all interact together and everyone’s mind should be one).
Institute for Pioneering Insightful Research & Edutech Private Limited 