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India is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The objective of this multilateral agreement is to stabilize the concentrations of greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin in the atmosphere. Towards fulfillment of our obligations for furnishing the information under this Convention, the Ministry of Environment & Forests has commenced various activities for preparation of India's Initial National Communication in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. In pursuing this task, a broad participatory approach has been adopted wherein multidisciplinary teams and a wide array of institutions are participating in the various activities inter alia preparation of inventories of greenhouse gases, reduction of uncertainties in inventory.

National Communications

Since industrialization in the late 19th century, human activities like burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use have lead to an increase in the concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. This in turn is believed to be the main cause of climatic change observed globally during the 20th century, perceived in terms of change in temperatures, precipitation patterns, sea level, extreme events etc. [IPCC, TAR, WKGI, 2001].

The World community is concerned about the adverse impacts [IPCC, TAR, WKGII, 2001] of these changes and as a response, the United Nations, formulated a Convention called the United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992. The objective of this Convention is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. The Convention also states that such a level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, ensuring food security and economic development in a sustainable manner.

The Convention takes note of the fact that the atmosphere is a global commons and each Country has a responsibility to conserve it. However, it enjoins upon the Parties to protect the climate system on the basis of equity and in accordance with their "common but differentiated responsibilities" and respective capabilities.

In order to assess the contribution of GHG emissions from anthropogenic sources to the atmosphere, the Convention mandates that every Party should report the implementation of the convention in accordance with the provisions of the Convention and here is where the National Communication to the UNFCCC comes into play.

The Communication of both Annex-1 and the non-Annex-1 countries require to report

• A national inventory of anthropogenic emissions by sources and removal by sinks of all GHGs not controlled by the Montreal protocol, to the extent its capacities permit, using comparable methodologies to be promoted and agreed upon by the Conference of Parties
• A general description of steps taken or envisaged by the Party to implement the Convention
• Any other information relevant to the achievement of the objective of the Convention and suitable for inclusion in its communication, including, if feasible, material relevant for calculation of global emission trends.

The developing country Parties as of now are only limited to reporting their GHG inventories and other relevant information for the base year 1990 or 1994. However, since the Convention recognizes that historically, the main contributions to global warming has been by the anthropogenic activities carried out in the developed world and therefore its their responsibility to mitigate GHG emissions for stabilizing atmospheric GHG concentrations.

The Kyoto Protocol, which came into force in 1997 at the Third Conference of Parties, stipulated that the developed country Parties included in Annex-1 should reduce their overall emissions of all GHGs in terms of CO₂ equivalent by at least 5 per cent below 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008 to 2012 and report all mitigation measures undertaken by them. The 2000 UNFCCC report (FCCC/SBI/2000/INF.13) which synthesizes GHG emissions of all Annex-1 Parties indicates that the net emissions have indeed reduced by 6% in 1998 w.r.t 1990. These reduction is mainly due to the hot air generated by the Countries in Transition, which are also a part of the Annex-1 countries. However, the recent report on GHG emissions from Annex-1 Parties till 2000 indicate a rise in emission since 1990.

GHG Emission Trends

Climate Change - Key Question

The average mean annual temperature over India has risen by 0.3oC since early 20th century. The warming in the annual mean temperatures is mainly contributed by the post-monsoon and winter seasons. The monsoon temperatures do not show significant trend over a major part of the country.
[Source: Rupa Kumar et al, Climate Change in India: Issues, Concerns and Opportunities, 2002].

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GEF Project Implemented by UNDP

Implementing & Executing Agency Ministry of Environment and Forests Government of India

Facilitating Agency Winrock International India

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