IGIDR Annual Report 2008-2009 - Indira Gandhi Institute of ...

Research Activitiesand supporters of action on climate change. Secondly,it discusses the market-based measures as a means toincrease the win–win opportunities and to attract profitmindedinvestors to invest in climate changemitigation. Finally, the paper examines whether climateprotection policies can yield benefits both for theenvironment and the economy. A new breed ofanalysts, convinced of the climate change problem, hasbeen identified, while remaining sceptical of theproposed solutions. The paper suggests the integrationof climate policies with those of development prioritiesthat are vitally important for developing countries andstresses the need for using sustainable development asa framework for climate change policies.Continuing on the topic of climate change, B.Sudhakara Reddy and Gaudenz B Assenza in anotherpaper (―Climate Change - A Developing CountryPerspective,‖ Current Science, forthcoming) look at theissue of climate change from a developing countryperspective and develop an outline of a win-winorientedclimate policy around development priorities.They demonstrate how the great climate debatebetween the ‗skeptics‘ and ‗supporters‘ does not leaddeveloping countries anywhere. The study shows thatthe emerging middle path approach, which suitsdeveloping countries, will lead to win-winopportunities both for the environment and theeconomy. The proponents of this approach, termed as‗climate realists,‘ are those who consider climatemitigation as a byproduct of sustainable developmentsolutions. The study discusses the issue of discount ratethat should be applied for problems that are likely topeak in the medium to long-term future. Finally,various market based mechanisms with ‗no-regretoptions‘ are discussed and advocates the use ofsustainable development paradigm for climate changepolicies.A. Ganesh Kumar, J. Parikh, M. Panda and V. Singh(in ―CO2 emissions structure of Indian economy‖,under review of an international journal) analysecarbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of the Indian economyby producing sectors and due to household finalconsumption. The analysis is based on an Input–Output(IO) table and Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) for theyear 2003–04 that distinguishes 25 sectors and 10household classes. Total emissions of the Indianeconomy in 2003–04 are estimated to be 1217 milliontons (MT) of CO2, of which 57% is due to the use ofcoal and lignite. The per capita emissions turn out to beabout 1.14 tons. The highest direct emissions are due toelectricity sector followed by manufacturing, steel androad transportation. Final demands for construction andmanufacturing sectors account for the highestemissions considering both direct and indirectemissions as the outputs from almost all the energyintensive sectors go into the production process ofthese two sectors. In terms of life style differencesacross income classes, the urban top 10% accounts foremissions of 3416 kg per year while rural bottom 10%class accounts for only 141 kg per year. The CO2emission embodied in the consumption basket of top10% of the population in urban India is one-sixth of theper capita emission generated in the US.The study by Mythili G. and C.S. Shylajan (―AnAnalysis of Community Dependence and ForestManagement‖ in International Journal of Ecology andDevelopment, Summer 2009, Vol 13, No.S09, 61-76)imputes income from ‗Non timber forest products‘(NTFPs) and explores the factors determining thedependence of local people on protected area of forestbased on household analysis of a Protected Area fromWayanad district of Kerala. The analysis reveals thatalternative income source is a major influencing factorfor bringing down forest dependence of the localcommunity. The study addresses certain issues in theinstitutional mechanism of marketing and managementof non-wood forest products. The price spreadhighlights the large difference between sellers(gatherer‘s) price and final retail price. Ensuring a fairshare to the local people in the final value added andbringing together traditional knowledge of the villagerand the commercial ventures making the final productfor efficient sharing of benefits are needed forsustainable forest management. The estimates derivedin the study can be used to devise incentive based20 Annual Report 2008-09