- It is the long term change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods of time
- Though it has been happening naturally for millions of years, in recent years it has accelerated due to anthropogenic causes and has been causing global warming.
- UNFCCC defines climate change as – “a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods”
Environment
BT Brinjal & Risk assessment
BT Brinjal
- In 2006, Maharashtra Hybird Seeds Company submitted biosafety and efficacy data to the GEAC and applied for permission to conduct large-scale trials
- At the same time SC imposed a ban on the on-going field trials
- An expert committee was constituted by GEAC to look into the concerns raised by several civil society actors
- SC later lifted the ban on field trials
- After a series of reviews the environment ministry declared a moratorium on Bt Brinjal in Feb 2010
Risk assessment
- Civil society has demanded that the science of risk assessment be made rigourous, independent and peer-reviewed
Climate Change
- National Environmental Appraisal and Monitoring Authority has been setup
India UK
UK-India Business Climate Leaders Group has been constituted. Comprising of leading CEOs the group will work on synergystic business for carbon reduction and joint work to evolve national emission reduction strategies.
FDI could be streamlined into low carbon initiatives.