#COP27

REINING IN CLIMATE CHANGE

Floods in Pakistan, an unprecedented heat wave in Europe, droughts in China and Africa — these are some of the starkest examples of extreme weather events in 2022 that show climate change is no longer an imaginary threat. It is in this backdrop that United Nations climate change conference (COP27) starts in Egypt from November 6, 2022. As the Primer below explains, if countries fulfill all the emissions promises they have made, they still put the world on a dangerous path toward a planet that will be warmer by some 2.4 degrees Celsius by year 2100, compared with preindustrial times. Get the latest updates, opinions and insights on what needs to be done to save the planet from climate change all at one place here.

TopNEWS

Nilutpal Thakur

Robust and transformative adaptation measures can make our cities climate-resilient, say urban experts

Integrated urban planning where climate change adaptation is woven into urban development plans and not seen as an add-on should be the way ahead if we want our cities to be resilient by 2047.

Nilutpal Thakur

Why a late Diwali coinciding with peak stubble burning may spell bad news

Delhi AQI: The National Capital Region's air quality is touching hazardous levels now. So much so that the Delhi chief minister has asked schools to remain closed for two days.

Nilutpal Thakur

Bullish on India | An air pollution-free India by 2047 is not a Utopian dream

Airshed-level planning where the fight against air pollution crosses state boundaries and urban-rural divides, strict enforcement of emission standards, switch to renewables, building green infrastructure could help to significantly improve air quality nationwide in the next 24 years to India@100.

the
climateglossary

Weather vs Climate

Climate Change vs Global Warming

Net Zero Emissions

Carbon Neutrality

UNFCC, COP, IPCC

Carbon Footprint

Carbon Credits

Emissions Trading Schemes

Green Bonds

Just Transition

featuredstories

Nilutpal Thakur

Uneven monsoon sparks climate change concerns

Monsoon patterns are changing every year, and weather forecasters are worried.

Sneha Mahale

‘India’s net zero-by-2070 goal means that fossil fuel phase out will be inevitable’: Madhura Joshi

Energy transition expert Madhura Joshi explains why clean energy is essential for a stronger economy, sustainable development, better air, and a climate-safe future.

Sneha Mahale

5 environmental costs of the illegal drugs industry

From deforestation and carbon emissions to biodiversity loss, the impact of illicit substances on ecosystems is significant.

Sneha Mahale

Explainer: Why warming waters mean an uncertain future for fish populations

Global warming is raising ocean temperatures and stripping water bodies of oxygen, threatening the long-term survival of marine species and their ecosystem.

Paris Agreement GoalWHERE ARE WE NOW?

MSCI TEMPERATURE CHECK

Are we on Track To Reach the Paris Agreement Goal?

The Paris Agreement gave the world a collective mission: limit global warming to 1.5ºC-2ºC (2.7ºF-3.6ºF ) above pre-industrial levels.

Unfortunately, we aren’t close to hitting the goal we set five years ago.

What happens if we fail to reach our goals

Low-lying areas become uninhabitable

Species extinctions increase

of plant and animal species could be extinct by 2070

Food and water become more scarce

Mortality rates increase 250,000 additional deaths per year could occur between 2030 and 2050

= 1,000 deaths

Equatorial regions become uninhabitable

Economic losses increase 2% of U.S. GDP (over $400B) could be lost with a 4ºC rise in temperature

Everyone, including investors, can support sustainable initiatives
To help avoid these consequences

Source – PNAS (2020), WHO (2018), Brookings (2019)

OUR IMPACT ONCLIMATE CHANGE

Modern farming methods can degrade soil more than 100x faster than the time it takes for new soil to form. Since the dawn of civilisation, humanity has removed nearly half of the world’s forest cover.

Agricultural land use (1961 - 2017)

Livestock production is currently responsible for around 33% of the global methane emissions.

Nitrogen-based fertilizers are having serious downstream effects on aquatic ecosystems.

Greenhouse gas emissions are
on the rise (1961 - 2016)

Methane and nitrous oxide have much greater warming potential than carbon dioxide.

Surprisingly, rice production accounts for a quarter of all agricultural methane emissions.

Change in temperature
(1851 - 2018) Things are heating up particularly on dry land

The risk zonesA 1.5º increase brings significant risks to humanity

Legends : Level of impact/risks as identified by IPC

Source – IPCC Climate Change and Land Report 2019

CLEANESTENERGY SOURCE

CO2- Equivalent Emissions Per Gigawatt-Hour of Electricy Over the Lifetime of a Power Plant Tonnes

Source: Our World in Data, U.S. Department of Energy. ‘Based on CO2-equivalent emissions per gigabit-hour of electricity produced’

Who's the Greenestof them All?

Denmark	82.5
Luxembourg (LUX.)	82.3
Switzerland (SWITZ)	81.5
United Kingdom	81.32
France	80
Austria (AUS.)	79.6
Sweden	78.9
Finland	78.7
Norway	77.7
Germany	77.2

Denmark leads the world in climate change mitigation: policy and results

Singapore leads the world in fishery health and sustainability

Canada leads the world in biodiversity habitat

CLIMATE CHANGE
LEADERS

Denmark
Romania
France

AIR QUALITY
LEADERS

Finland
Australia
Sweden
Iceland
Norway

Climate ChangeAND YOU

Save Energy At Home

Much of our electricity and heat are powered by coal, oil, and gas. Use less energy by lowering your heating and cooling, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electric appliances, washing your laundry with cold water, or hanging things to dry instead of using a dryer.

Switching To Electric Vehicles

Vehicles powered by fossil fuels contribute to a huge chunk of pollution. Switching to Electric Vehicles (EVs) will go a long way in curbing emissions. Many of the major auto companies are jumping on the EV bandwagon. Now is a good time to make the switch.

Throwing Away Less Food

When food rots in a landfill, it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. So use what you buy and compost any leftovers. When you throw food away, you're also wasting the resources and energy that were used to grow, produce, package, and transport it.

Reduce Water Waste

Saving water reduces carbon pollution, too. That's because it takes a lot of energy to pump, heat, and treat your water. So take shorter showers, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and ensure that there are no leaks in your plumbing.

#COP27

REINING IN CLIMATE CHANGE

TopNEWS

Robust and transformative adaptation measures can make our cities climate-resilient, say urban experts

Why a late Diwali coinciding with peak stubble burning may spell bad news

Bullish on India | An air pollution-free India by 2047 is not a Utopian dream

the
climateglossary

featuredstories

Uneven monsoon sparks climate change concerns

‘India’s net zero-by-2070 goal means that fossil fuel phase out will be inevitable’: Madhura Joshi

5 environmental costs of the illegal drugs industry

Explainer: Why warming waters mean an uncertain future for fish populations

Paris Agreement GoalWHERE ARE WE NOW?

OUR IMPACT ONCLIMATE CHANGE

CLEANESTENERGY SOURCE

G20’SENERGY MIX (1965 - 2019)

Who's the Greenestof them All?

QUIZ