Four steps to fight climate change:

Stringent limits on future emissions

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

The Human Development Report 2007 has recommended four steps to fight climate change in the world which is a cross-generational exercise.

For the current generation, the challenge is to keep open the window of opportunity by bending greenhouse gas emissions in a downward direction, it said.

The report observed that the world has a historic opportunity to begin this task as the current commitment period of the Kyoto protocol expires in 2012.

The report was launched at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations, Colombo on Thursday at a ceremony organised by the Resident Representative UNDP Neil Buhne.

The report pointed out that the agreement could set a new course, imposing stringent limits on future emissions which would provide a framework for international collective action and negotiate to set quantitative targets by 2010 providing Governments with goals for national carbon budgets.

It further said that the carbon budgeting backed by radical energy policy reforms and government action to change incentive structures for consumers and investors is the foundation for effective climate change mitigation.

The four recommendations made in the report are (a) Developing a multilateral framework for avoiding dangerous climate change under the post 2012 Kyoto protocol (b), Putting policies for sustainable carbon budgeting -the agenda for mitigation in place, (c) Strengthening the framework for international cooperation and (d) Putting climate change adaptation at the centre of the post 2012 Kyoto protocol framework and international partnerships for poverty reduction.

Buhne said climate change is a human development issue and not an environmental issue. He pointed out five human development tipping points in this regard.

They are, reduced agricultural productivity, heightened water insecurity, increased exposure to extremed weather events, collapse of eco-systems and increased health risks. He said that ultimate change poses risks and opportunities to MDGs on education.

Prof. Mohan Munasinghe said that the report is timely and it is necessary to make development more sustainable by integrating climate change policies into sustainable development strategy.

He pointed out that the poorest who did the least to this situation will be most affected.

It is very important to protect this valuable human resource. Combined mitigation and adaptation is the way to go, he said.

Environmental Affairs Minister Champika Ranawake was the chief guest.