Climate & Resources
A spiral-type integrated compact fluorescent lamp. Photo: Piccolo Namek. - Some rights reserved.
Traffic Jam in Delhi, a common site in Urban Indian Cities: Public Transport still miniscule as private vehicles take precedence. Photo by: Centre for Science and Environment.
Introduction
Climate & Resources
Climate change was pitchforked on the national policy agenda only in 2007. Since then the Climate Change policies at country level and its position internationally have evolved on issues such as urgency to act, sectoral approaches and equity as the base of national and international policies.

The India programme on ‘Climate and Energy’ focuses on strengthening climate justice approach in national and international climate policy making by offering platforms for dialogue and debate; commissioning studies on analysis/evaluation of national level policies; supporting various progressively voice at different fora and linking the discourse between the North and South sustainable energy solutions. The programme aims to strengthen research inputs as well as advocacy on renewable energy options and economic arguments in its favour while acknowledging the role of NGOs, academics, and business along with Government Stakeholders. In addition to its focus on promoting sustainable energy solutions, it also aims to build awareness on impacts of climate change and potential solutions at all levels of governance.

Climate Change

Report

Banking on Forests: Assets for a Climate Cure?

- September 27, 2011 - Strategies of valuation and compensation of forest loss are central to forest regulation in India. A new book by Kanchi Kohli and Manju Menon looks at the continuity between the domestic regulation on forests and the new abstractions created by the climate change discourse in the form of REDD and REDD+. more»

Article

No lessons from the past

 - February 4, 2011 - The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) remains a bundle of convenient contradictions. In its latest decision on the environment and forest clearances for the integrated steel plant and captive port for the South Korean company Pohang Steel Company (M/s Posco), the ministry has listed 28 and 32 extra conditions which the company will need to follow. By Kanchi Kohli and Manju Menon more»

Article

A Crevasse in the Regulatory Environment

- November 30, 2010 - With the formation of the Green Tribunal, its predecessor, the NEAA has ceased to exist. But the NGT is not fully ready to hear cases, and this has put the regulatory environment off-course. Kanchi Kohli reports. By Kanchi Kohli more»

CONFERENCE

Heinrich Böll Stiftung supports dialogue between Pakistan and India on Climate Change

 - November 1, 2010 - Pakistan’s recent floods perhaps illustrate better than anything else the political and economic consequences of climate change. It raised additional awareness among the country’s policy makers as well as the public. Since climate change knows no borders, comprehensive efforts and regional cooperation in South Asia are needed to tackle the problems. more»

Background Paper

Conference on "Global Carbon Budgets and Equity in Climate Change"

 - July 2, 2010 -

The crucial global climate policy issue today is the current unequal occupation of carbon space with the developed nations having occupied far more than their fair share of carbon space. Without these nations sharply reducing their emissions, it is evident that other nations cannot get their fair share. From the carbon space perspective, it is also clear that no nation can lay claim to more than its fair share, and that the burden of mitigation will fall progressively on all nations as they approach their fair share of global carbon space.

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Study

Climate Change and Democratisation

 - July 30, 2010 - The paper examines whether democracy at the country level and global climate change matter for another. It raises the question of how to support democracy’s advance in the face of multiple challenges that include the adverse effects of global warming and extreme weather events merits much more attention than it has received so far. Peter Burnell more»

Article

A Green New Deal in India?

 - May 28, 2010 - Although India can be perceived as a low-carbon economy, with only 1.3 tons CO2 emissions annually per person, it is already the fourth biggest CO2 polluter worldwide. Therefore a green change within India’s development framework is badly needed. Dr. Michael Köberlein more»

Magazine

Böll.Thema Number 1/2010 - Going Green

- May 28, 2010 - No doubt, Copenhagen was a major setback. Although much remains to be done, the great transformation is on its way: within the energy sector, in construction, in industry – and in Europe, the US, and China alike. To be sure, political decisions will be a major factor in how swiftly and powerfully change will occur. Yet, the future is not the exclusive domain of governments. All of us can be and will have to become actors in an ecological turnaround. more»

Interview

Threat to Himalayan glaciers is real.

 - April 15, 2010 - Dr. Jürgen Kropp from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) about the errors of the last IPCC report and the direct impact of melting of Himalayan glacier on water resources and agriculture in India. more»

Report

Future of International Climate Regime.

 - January 20, 2010 - Climate change is on top of the international and national political and strategic agendas. Dr. Michael Köberlein, Director, Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF), India gave a 30-minute presentation on "Future of International Climate Regime" on 15th March. The session was chaired by Dr. Arvind Gupta, Lal Bahadur Shastri Chair at IDSA. more»

Research Study

An India That Can Say Yes: a Climate-Responsible Development Agenda for Copenhagen and Beyond

 - March 1, 2010 - The book analysis at environmental policy framing approaches within India, its priorities, challenges and opportunities. The climate change as an issue have been looked through in detail from all aspects like equity, poverty, diplomacy, policy framework, etc… The COP in Copenhagen was an important milestone in International climate Negotiations and weighing all the aspects of taking a decision, the author has proposed a way forward more»
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International Climate Politics

Climate Finance Fundamentals – Series of Short Issue Briefs

 - February 15, 2011 - In cooperation with ODI, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung is offering a new series of short introductory briefing on various aspects of climate financing. Called “Climate Finance Fundamentals” the short briefs, which include tables and graphs, are meant for those readers new to the debate on global climate change financing and its myriads of facets and needing a quick overview. more»

Where does international climate policy stand after Cancún?

 - February 15, 2011 - One year ago, the climate summit in Copenhagen failed, leaving the UN climate negotiations in tatters. The result of the following summit in Mexico – the Cancún Agreement – was a pleasant surprise for many observers, whose post-Copenhagen blues left them with little expectation of an agreement. An analysis.  By Lili Fuhr and Ingrid Spiller more»

Publication

Climate Policy in 2010: One Step Forward and Two Sideward

 - January 27, 2011 - The year 2010 offered mixed results concerning global climate policy, with serious setbacks as well as some small victories. Find more in the Regional Analysis of Climate Policy in 2010 and the Cancun Climate Conference (COP 16). more»

Publication

Climate Governance in Africa - Adaptation Strategies and Institutions

 - January 27, 2011 - Our four Africa offices commissioned studies to evaluate the state of preparedness for climate change adaptation in seven African countries. What are the impacts of and vulnerabilities to climate change in Africa? To what extent do existing adaptation policies, strategies and plans respond to the vulnerabilities identified?. By Masego Madzwamuse more»

Interview

“Step in the right direction”

 - December 17, 2010 - In Cancún UN members affirmed that average temperatures on Earth must not rise by more than two degrees. They also decided to establish a new Green Climate Fund and called for a timely follow-up to the Kyoto Protocol. In an interview with Hans Dembowski, Barbara Unmüssig, board member of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, assessed the results. more»

STUDY

A Matter of Principle(s) - A Normative Framework for a Global Compact on Public Climate Finance

 - December 2, 2010 - How can we assure, that tax money used for public climate change finance are used as fairly, efficiently and effectively as possible? A study suggests principles and criteria that the public sector should take into account in the allocation of funds for urgent action in developing countries to adapt and reduce emissions. By Liane Schalatek more»

Can Economic Growth and Climate Protection be Reconciled?

 - We have almost used up our emissions budget. Should we continue to emit at the current rate, our budget will be used up within ten years. Thus, we have to ask ourselves: Is continuous growth the right approach? Can we afford more economic growth? Is our present economic system able to increase and sustain wealth on a worldwide scale? The Böll.Thema essay by Claudia Kemfert tries to give answers to these questions. more»

The Great Betrayal at Copenhagen, India caves in to a bad deal:

 - January 27, 2010 - India along with other countries forming together BASIC group supported developed countries move to clinch a deal leaving vulnerable and poor countries aside. The outcome was ‘Copenhagen Accord’ that were criticised widely in terms of low ambition. Praful shares his analysis on role of India in such move. By Praful Bidwai more»

Copenhagen cop out

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It is apparent to everyone that the Copenhagen Accord is a travesty of what the world needs to avert climate change. Instead of an ambitious, effective, equitable and binding treaty with stringent emissions-cut targets for developed nations, we have a hollow Accord without legal status. The North has offered a 16 per cent emissions-cut when 40-45 per cent is needed. Years of talks have been set at nought by a dirty collusive deal between the United States and Basic (Brazil, South Africa, India and China), extended to cover only 26 of the 193 countries represented in Copenhagen.

By Praful Bidwai more»

Energy Issues

Briefing Paper

Lighting Up Ladakh

September 28, 2011 - The Case Study analyzes the lessons learnt from ground realities on implementation of Solar Energy systems in rural India. This is an excellent case of making policy-practice connect viable. By Mohd Shawahiq Siddiqui, Shilpa Chohan and Sanjay Upadhyay more»

Report

Gender Concerns in Renewable Energy Options of Solar and Biomass Systems

- Energy use, conservation and participation needs to be viewed through a gender lens. The meeting report examines the existing gender roles in renewable sources of energy such as biomass and solar energy with the objectives of contributing to social knowledge and policy development. The collaborative discussion was organized by UN Women and Heinrich Böll Foundation. Download the full report.

Article

Smugness still rules in India’s nuclear establishment

 - April 4, 2011 -

The Fukushima nuclear disaster has shaken the global nuclear industry. But in many ways, India remains an exception to this trend. While the public is deeply upset, India's government, and the Department of Atomic Energy in particular, remain largely complacent.

By Praful Bidwai more»

Publication

Myth of Nuclear Power - A Guide

- March 14, 2011 - Some lobbyists and politicians carry on the myth that nuclear power is reliable, secure, and a source of unbeatable energy. The newest myth paints nuclear power as the necessary bridging technology to the solar age - in Europe and around the world. To address the myths of nuclear power, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung has commissioned renowned international nuclear experts to deliver reports that provide the public with an overview of current, fact-rich, and nuclear-critical know-how. more»

Myth of nuclear power - a guide.

 - August 9, 2010 - The myth of nuclear power keeps persevering. Therefore the Heinrich Böll Foundation has commissioned renowned international nuclear experts to deliver detailed facts central to the myths of nuclear energy. This overview provides the public with a current, facts rich and nuclear-critical know-how. more»

Publication

Distributed Renewable Energy Projects in Rural Areas of India - A guide to Implementation.

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The need for renewable energy resources is real and pressing today simply because our current dependence on conventional petro -based fuels and energy sources cannot be sustained. Electrification Scheme over the past two decades there remains a lot of work that needs to be done. The numbers of villages which still don’t have access to electricity continue to be very high and in a number of these village the grid reaching them may still be some years away.

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