The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has had its share of success in extension of much needed monetary support from developed to developing countries for efforts to reduce green house gas (GHG) emissions.
In one more significant instance, Nepal, a small mountain country located between India and China, has announced that its attempts to reduce 50,000 tons of carbon have been certified by the CDM executive board that will earn the country income of US$350,000, a significant amount for the small economy.
“We have been informed that the CDM board has decided to issue us Certificate Emission Reduction (CER) for reducing carbon that will reward us with around US$350000,” Nepal’s environment ministry said in a statement earlier this month.
These will be the second lot of CER’s earned as part of a program to reduce carbon emissions via bio-gas that has been approved by the CDM board. Nepal has already earned over US223000 dollars for reducing nearly 32,000 ton of carbon due to the same bio-gas program. A single biogas plant can reduce nearly 5 tons of GHG emissions annually.
Nepal is working on four sectors to earn carbon credits, namely, biogas, micro-hydro, improved stoves and bio mass gasification.
CDM is a provision of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol, under which clean projects in developing countries can earn tradable CER units that can be purchased by entities in developed nations to meet mandatory emission reduction targets.
Despite accusations of green washing and other leakages, innovative programs to reduce GHG emissions are being implemented in the developing world given global pressures to cut pollution.
For example, three watersheds in the districts of Dolakha, Gorkha and Chitwan in Nepal have obtained funding of US$95,000 under the Forest Carbon Trust Fund (FCTF) that focuses on sequestering carbon through community-based forest management.
The Nepal pilot project will enable examination of forest governance systems under Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+) funded by Norway.
The experience will offer prototypes for similar projects in Indonesia, India, Philippines and Malaysia among other nations.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Anna Hazare Galvanizes India
For the past week a diminutive 71-year old self-professed Gandhian Anna Hazare has again become India’s rallying point against corruption, a malaise that afflicts the country at practically every level of functioning, especially the government.
Hazare, a social activist from Maharashtra, winner of prestigious Padma Bhushan and the Ramon Magsaysay awards for his work among the poor, has hit a raw nerve of millions and especially the high aspiring, tax paying, hard working and rising numbers of the middle class, the biggest backers of his ``movement.’’
Currently, Hazare is on a fast at national capital New Delhi where thousands have congregated in support. Spontaneous ``I am Anna’’ rallies, meanwhile, have been reported from across the world, London, New York, Houston, Chicago, Sydney, with the Indian community joining in large numbers.
Even as populations in North Africa and the Middle East have taken to the streets for representative governance, India, a democracy since 1947, has failed to deliver its people from corruption at petty levels to multiple large scale scams involving the tax-payers money.
Ironically, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, belonging to the ruling Congress party and similar in demeanor and appearance to Hazare is increasingly being seen as too effete to take on corruption. The political opposition BJP has also been ineffective in reading the angst of common citizens forced to pay bribes in their daily existence.
Hazare’s demand is that New Delhi should enact the long delayed Lok Pal bill that seeks to pin down public functionaries, including the head of government, judiciary and lower bureaucracy, in corruption cases on complaint of individual citizens.
More than the complexities of formulating the Lok Pal (an Indian version of an ombudsman) the massive emotional outpourings across India, cutting caste, social, religious, age and economic barriers is against the overriding disquiet about corruption.
The protests have taken the form of candle light vigils, street plays, protests by school children, rallies and more. Ground zero is at the Ram Lila grounds, New Delhi where Hazare and some of his followers are on fast, a political instrument of protest used to good effect by Mahatma Gandhi during India’s freedom struggle against the British.
``I will not let this public movement die down. The government has to enact the Lok Pal Bill. We want a revolution against corruption,’’ Hazare told his cheering supporters congregated outside the Tihar jail in West Delhi. In a move that showed a maladroit government, Hazare refused bail when the police arrested him forcing the administration to cajole him out of jail.
Mahatma Gandhi had broken oppressive salt laws in India to galvanize his countrymen against colonial rulers to lead the freedom struggle. Today, there is reason for Indians to be as frustrated about corruption, with Hazare one such fulcrum to air deep seated grievances.
International indexes and rankings consistently peg India among the lowest performers when it comes to issues of transparency, red tape and corruption that extends from top government to corporate to petty officials or ``Babus.’’
The government (police, bureaucracy, politicians) are seen as the worst perpetrators. There are myriad lower level corruption instances involving the dreaded ``Babus’’ that particularly impact the common man (referred as aam admni by politicians when they seek votes).
This extends from civic agencies to the police to multiple government services --- money needs to change hands to procure driving licenses, passport, water connection, house and building plans, lodging a FIR with the police or follow up investigations for crimes such as burglary or stolen car.
The list is endless. At higher levels of institutionalized embezzlements, a vicious inter-connected mafia controls business interests in real estate, education, telecom, health services, defense, oil, gas and coal mines and infrastructure such as road construction and power.
These are the areas where the state continues to retain a strangle hold and the decision making is arbitrary and skewed, in the absence of reforms and liberalization.
For example, India’s defense procurement and modernization processes are infamous as slow, mired in red tape, corruption, middlemen and lack of long term strategic planning. The government strangle hold on higher education continues.
Stung by the charge of being soft on corruption, New Delhi was forced to fire federal communications’ minister A Raja, accused of orchestrating a telecom scam that cost the exchequer huge losses. Raja is in jail.
The cynics have dismissed the Anna Hazare phenomenon as a passing event that will lose its sheen once the TV channels move to the next big story. This, however, is a simplistic view. There is no denying that there is an underlying seething against corruption that will not disappear in a hurry. Indian democracy has not failed. It needs to get better.
Hazare, a social activist from Maharashtra, winner of prestigious Padma Bhushan and the Ramon Magsaysay awards for his work among the poor, has hit a raw nerve of millions and especially the high aspiring, tax paying, hard working and rising numbers of the middle class, the biggest backers of his ``movement.’’
Currently, Hazare is on a fast at national capital New Delhi where thousands have congregated in support. Spontaneous ``I am Anna’’ rallies, meanwhile, have been reported from across the world, London, New York, Houston, Chicago, Sydney, with the Indian community joining in large numbers.
Even as populations in North Africa and the Middle East have taken to the streets for representative governance, India, a democracy since 1947, has failed to deliver its people from corruption at petty levels to multiple large scale scams involving the tax-payers money.
Ironically, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, belonging to the ruling Congress party and similar in demeanor and appearance to Hazare is increasingly being seen as too effete to take on corruption. The political opposition BJP has also been ineffective in reading the angst of common citizens forced to pay bribes in their daily existence.
Hazare’s demand is that New Delhi should enact the long delayed Lok Pal bill that seeks to pin down public functionaries, including the head of government, judiciary and lower bureaucracy, in corruption cases on complaint of individual citizens.
More than the complexities of formulating the Lok Pal (an Indian version of an ombudsman) the massive emotional outpourings across India, cutting caste, social, religious, age and economic barriers is against the overriding disquiet about corruption.
The protests have taken the form of candle light vigils, street plays, protests by school children, rallies and more. Ground zero is at the Ram Lila grounds, New Delhi where Hazare and some of his followers are on fast, a political instrument of protest used to good effect by Mahatma Gandhi during India’s freedom struggle against the British.
``I will not let this public movement die down. The government has to enact the Lok Pal Bill. We want a revolution against corruption,’’ Hazare told his cheering supporters congregated outside the Tihar jail in West Delhi. In a move that showed a maladroit government, Hazare refused bail when the police arrested him forcing the administration to cajole him out of jail.
Mahatma Gandhi had broken oppressive salt laws in India to galvanize his countrymen against colonial rulers to lead the freedom struggle. Today, there is reason for Indians to be as frustrated about corruption, with Hazare one such fulcrum to air deep seated grievances.
International indexes and rankings consistently peg India among the lowest performers when it comes to issues of transparency, red tape and corruption that extends from top government to corporate to petty officials or ``Babus.’’
The government (police, bureaucracy, politicians) are seen as the worst perpetrators. There are myriad lower level corruption instances involving the dreaded ``Babus’’ that particularly impact the common man (referred as aam admni by politicians when they seek votes).
This extends from civic agencies to the police to multiple government services --- money needs to change hands to procure driving licenses, passport, water connection, house and building plans, lodging a FIR with the police or follow up investigations for crimes such as burglary or stolen car.
The list is endless. At higher levels of institutionalized embezzlements, a vicious inter-connected mafia controls business interests in real estate, education, telecom, health services, defense, oil, gas and coal mines and infrastructure such as road construction and power.
These are the areas where the state continues to retain a strangle hold and the decision making is arbitrary and skewed, in the absence of reforms and liberalization.
For example, India’s defense procurement and modernization processes are infamous as slow, mired in red tape, corruption, middlemen and lack of long term strategic planning. The government strangle hold on higher education continues.
Stung by the charge of being soft on corruption, New Delhi was forced to fire federal communications’ minister A Raja, accused of orchestrating a telecom scam that cost the exchequer huge losses. Raja is in jail.
The cynics have dismissed the Anna Hazare phenomenon as a passing event that will lose its sheen once the TV channels move to the next big story. This, however, is a simplistic view. There is no denying that there is an underlying seething against corruption that will not disappear in a hurry. Indian democracy has not failed. It needs to get better.
Monday, August 15, 2011
India Protests EU Aviation Tax
There have been differing opinions and approaches to fighting climate change. Another indication of the growing rift among nations is the issue of taxing airlines emissions.
India recently lodged a formal protest against the new carbon tax on the aviation sector by the European Union beginning next year, under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
Rather belatedly joining China and America that are also protesting the move, India’s environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan has written to the EU terming the ``bilateral’’ decision as ``unfair’’ trade practice.
The minister has urged debt ridden Europe that stands to earn over US$10 billion annually, to withdraw the tax until a consensus emerges on the issue among the 194 nations at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In a statement New Delhi has said: ``we believe the European carbon tax is just the start of a new global tax regime to adversely hit businesses of emerging economies such as India and China… We will have no option other than to approach the World Trade Organization (WTO) if it isn't withdrawn.’’
India, meanwhile, is also preparing a blueprint to be extended to multiple ministries that include environment, aviation, trade, industry and commerce, to protest the EU tax at various global forums.
At the recent UNFCCC meeting in Germany, India held that ``by levying carbon tax, developing countries would be paying to rich nations.’’ America said that EU proposal “directly infringes on the sovereignty of the United States.”
The carbon tax is estimated to cost cash-strapped Indian airlines such as Kingfisher, Jet Airways, Air India that fly to Europe US$1 billion annually. These airlines use cities such as Frankfurt, Brussels and London as hubs for ongoing flights to America, Africa and South America.
While the actual tax would depend upon the efficiency of the particular aircraft, some analysts say Indian passengers may have to pay anywhere between US$50 to US$200 more to fly to Europe.
In a comment national daily Hindustan Times has said: ``It's not only the money but the intention of rich nations behind the tax that has irked emerging economies like India and China, which see it as the beginning of a regressive regime for imposing taxes on developing nations to fight climate change, instead of paying for it themselves.’’
Indeed, taking on climate change is a concern that has divided developed and developing countries for some time. India’s federal commerce ministry has repeatedly warned over the recent past that the country should be prepared to deal with carbon tax and other trade related “arm-twisting tactics” that will increasingly be linked to acceptance of environment “norms,” by advanced countries.
The ministry has said Indian goods exported to the EU will likely face non-tariff barriers if the grouping imposes a carbon tax on goods imported from ``advanced developing countries,’’ a category that India may be pushed into to suit western interests.
Developing countries subscribe to “polluter pays” and “collective but differentiated” responsibility in checking greenhouse gas emissions. This means that developed nations bear the burden (financial and technological) of addressing environmental damage, while the rest can adapt accordingly.
The Kyoto Protocol currently exempts developing countries from reduction commitments that continue till 2012, following which a new regime has to be in place. However, it will not be easy for India to remain unaffected by the impact of global climate change action, even if the country deems it unfair.
Washington has been blocking efforts of the Group of Eight industrialized nations to agree to targets for cutting carbon emissions, insisting that the onus be shared by the emerging economies such as India and China.
The International Monetary Fund has, meanwhile, said that any policy framework for multilateral action on climate change would be difficult without India, China, Brazil and Russia as, in the next 50 years, 70 per cent of emissions are projected to come from emerging and developing economies.
India is also unhappy about being clubbed with China on emission levels, as its contribution is far below the major emitters, the US and China. New Delhi has been quoting global carbon emission figures over the last century, in which the US leads, followed by the EU and China.
There is no doubt that the climate change battle of ``responsibility’’ and ``accountability’’ will only get bitter in the days to come, leading up to the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol, when emerging economies will be under pressure to accept binding emission cuts that are politically difficult to commit.
India recently lodged a formal protest against the new carbon tax on the aviation sector by the European Union beginning next year, under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
Rather belatedly joining China and America that are also protesting the move, India’s environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan has written to the EU terming the ``bilateral’’ decision as ``unfair’’ trade practice.
The minister has urged debt ridden Europe that stands to earn over US$10 billion annually, to withdraw the tax until a consensus emerges on the issue among the 194 nations at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In a statement New Delhi has said: ``we believe the European carbon tax is just the start of a new global tax regime to adversely hit businesses of emerging economies such as India and China… We will have no option other than to approach the World Trade Organization (WTO) if it isn't withdrawn.’’
India, meanwhile, is also preparing a blueprint to be extended to multiple ministries that include environment, aviation, trade, industry and commerce, to protest the EU tax at various global forums.
At the recent UNFCCC meeting in Germany, India held that ``by levying carbon tax, developing countries would be paying to rich nations.’’ America said that EU proposal “directly infringes on the sovereignty of the United States.”
The carbon tax is estimated to cost cash-strapped Indian airlines such as Kingfisher, Jet Airways, Air India that fly to Europe US$1 billion annually. These airlines use cities such as Frankfurt, Brussels and London as hubs for ongoing flights to America, Africa and South America.
While the actual tax would depend upon the efficiency of the particular aircraft, some analysts say Indian passengers may have to pay anywhere between US$50 to US$200 more to fly to Europe.
In a comment national daily Hindustan Times has said: ``It's not only the money but the intention of rich nations behind the tax that has irked emerging economies like India and China, which see it as the beginning of a regressive regime for imposing taxes on developing nations to fight climate change, instead of paying for it themselves.’’
Indeed, taking on climate change is a concern that has divided developed and developing countries for some time. India’s federal commerce ministry has repeatedly warned over the recent past that the country should be prepared to deal with carbon tax and other trade related “arm-twisting tactics” that will increasingly be linked to acceptance of environment “norms,” by advanced countries.
The ministry has said Indian goods exported to the EU will likely face non-tariff barriers if the grouping imposes a carbon tax on goods imported from ``advanced developing countries,’’ a category that India may be pushed into to suit western interests.
Developing countries subscribe to “polluter pays” and “collective but differentiated” responsibility in checking greenhouse gas emissions. This means that developed nations bear the burden (financial and technological) of addressing environmental damage, while the rest can adapt accordingly.
The Kyoto Protocol currently exempts developing countries from reduction commitments that continue till 2012, following which a new regime has to be in place. However, it will not be easy for India to remain unaffected by the impact of global climate change action, even if the country deems it unfair.
Washington has been blocking efforts of the Group of Eight industrialized nations to agree to targets for cutting carbon emissions, insisting that the onus be shared by the emerging economies such as India and China.
The International Monetary Fund has, meanwhile, said that any policy framework for multilateral action on climate change would be difficult without India, China, Brazil and Russia as, in the next 50 years, 70 per cent of emissions are projected to come from emerging and developing economies.
India is also unhappy about being clubbed with China on emission levels, as its contribution is far below the major emitters, the US and China. New Delhi has been quoting global carbon emission figures over the last century, in which the US leads, followed by the EU and China.
There is no doubt that the climate change battle of ``responsibility’’ and ``accountability’’ will only get bitter in the days to come, leading up to the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol, when emerging economies will be under pressure to accept binding emission cuts that are politically difficult to commit.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
HRK Upstages SRK
In Indian mind shares, it is never easy to replace SRK, compressed for Shahrukh Khan, top Bollywood star, also referred as King Khan. For a few days last week, SRK was upstaged by HRK, the comely 34-year-old foreign minister of Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar, on an official visit to India.
US foreign secretary Hilary Clinton, who was also on a recent visit to India, did not get the kind of top billing, by the TRP stricken TV channels at least, that HRK has managed even though ex-President Bill Clinton always created a stir with his easy charm and good looks.
Being pretty and powerful does make some difference, when eyeballs have a direct impact on media attention and consequent ad revenues.
India has had a share of lovely foreign ladies visiting the country that include Carla Bruni and earlier Lady Diana. Bruni turned many more heads than expected when French President Sarkozy visited India to discuss serious matters centered round nuclear power and defense deals.
Visits of top Pakistan dignitaries, as part of a very slow moving Indo-Pak peace process, are usually dour exchanges that focus on the harsh realities of terror, Kashmir and military cross firing along the border.
The beautiful Rabbani has added a dash of color that has caught the attention of many more than it normally would. A few shared jokes, some laughs, sports, music and entertainment have always played a part in easing tensions between India and Pakistan though there are deep-seated issues that need to be resorted, including past wars.
Some years back it was the debonair Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan that set Indian female hearts aflutter with his very handsome looks. Some hopelessly in love Imran fans were even accused of wishing a Pakistan victory over India.
This time round it is the Indian male that seems as besotted by a resident neighbor, though there always was a buzz about the late Benazir Bhutto whenever she visited India as a young lady.
There has been some talk about HRK: ``Pak bomb that kills with her looks,’’ ``our leaders did not get partition right, they should have kept HRK’s family,’’ ``Islamabad has provided irrefutable proof that cross border terrorism is state sponsored.... by sending across a live bomb,’’ ``if India and Pakistan are looking for CBM’s (Confidence Building Measures), none get better than HRK,’’ ``suddenly everyone likes the foreign hand, actually the full body,’’ ``Fevicol has decided to endorse the SM Krishna-Hina Rabbai Khar handshake….it went on and on,’’ are just sample reactions on Internet social networking sites about Rabbani.
“If Hina Rabbani were a male foreign minister of Pakistan, would she ever be deconstructed in terms of look and dress?” Tweeted Barkha Dutt, Group Editor, NDTV. “Not too many cute male ministers around, yes?” wrote back Twitter Nishant.
The Pakistan minister, meanwhile, made the rounds of the Delhi Durbar, calling on the establishment, including her counterpart and avuncular S M Krishna, 79. Despite the age difference it was a meeting of equals in terms of the strict diplomatic protocols, with TV channels focused as much on Rabbani’s multiple sartorial turn outs during different occasions.
There has been much attention on Rabbani, Pakistan’s youngest and first woman foreign minister’s impeccable fashion sense with speculation that the ``style icons’’ pearls, diamond ring, Roberto Cavalli shades and big Birkin bag cost millions of rupees.
Lahore-based Honey Waqar, who has designed for Khar, has been quoted to say in the Hindustan Times, “She dresses conservatively, conscious of the fact that she represents a Muslim state. Her brief to the designer is not to make body-hugging dresses. But she’s extremely stylish.”
Indeed, every tidbit about Rabbani was dug out -- a feudal and very rich background, interest in trekking, polo, facebook fan clubs, Wikipedia accounts and more. Of particular interest to some are her amazing fitness levels despite being a mother of three.
Not much was expected from the official talks she led in terms of progress in Indo-Pak relations. India’s unhappiness with Pakistan’s soft handling of jehadi militancy remains. It was apparent that Rabbani was briefed well by her political and military bosses back home to tread the beaten path.
Her statements were measured. She met with Kashmiri Separatist leaders that have chosen to keep out of the political mainstream, an interaction that never goes down well with New Delhi.
Yet, the idea of ministerial and official exchanges between India and Pakistan is to keep the communication channels open so that the deep rooted suspicions do not worsen. The visit of HRK was not historical or path breaking in any sense. It was a refreshing aside.
US foreign secretary Hilary Clinton, who was also on a recent visit to India, did not get the kind of top billing, by the TRP stricken TV channels at least, that HRK has managed even though ex-President Bill Clinton always created a stir with his easy charm and good looks.
Being pretty and powerful does make some difference, when eyeballs have a direct impact on media attention and consequent ad revenues.
India has had a share of lovely foreign ladies visiting the country that include Carla Bruni and earlier Lady Diana. Bruni turned many more heads than expected when French President Sarkozy visited India to discuss serious matters centered round nuclear power and defense deals.
Visits of top Pakistan dignitaries, as part of a very slow moving Indo-Pak peace process, are usually dour exchanges that focus on the harsh realities of terror, Kashmir and military cross firing along the border.
The beautiful Rabbani has added a dash of color that has caught the attention of many more than it normally would. A few shared jokes, some laughs, sports, music and entertainment have always played a part in easing tensions between India and Pakistan though there are deep-seated issues that need to be resorted, including past wars.
Some years back it was the debonair Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan that set Indian female hearts aflutter with his very handsome looks. Some hopelessly in love Imran fans were even accused of wishing a Pakistan victory over India.
This time round it is the Indian male that seems as besotted by a resident neighbor, though there always was a buzz about the late Benazir Bhutto whenever she visited India as a young lady.
There has been some talk about HRK: ``Pak bomb that kills with her looks,’’ ``our leaders did not get partition right, they should have kept HRK’s family,’’ ``Islamabad has provided irrefutable proof that cross border terrorism is state sponsored.... by sending across a live bomb,’’ ``if India and Pakistan are looking for CBM’s (Confidence Building Measures), none get better than HRK,’’ ``suddenly everyone likes the foreign hand, actually the full body,’’ ``Fevicol has decided to endorse the SM Krishna-Hina Rabbai Khar handshake….it went on and on,’’ are just sample reactions on Internet social networking sites about Rabbani.
“If Hina Rabbani were a male foreign minister of Pakistan, would she ever be deconstructed in terms of look and dress?” Tweeted Barkha Dutt, Group Editor, NDTV. “Not too many cute male ministers around, yes?” wrote back Twitter Nishant.
The Pakistan minister, meanwhile, made the rounds of the Delhi Durbar, calling on the establishment, including her counterpart and avuncular S M Krishna, 79. Despite the age difference it was a meeting of equals in terms of the strict diplomatic protocols, with TV channels focused as much on Rabbani’s multiple sartorial turn outs during different occasions.
There has been much attention on Rabbani, Pakistan’s youngest and first woman foreign minister’s impeccable fashion sense with speculation that the ``style icons’’ pearls, diamond ring, Roberto Cavalli shades and big Birkin bag cost millions of rupees.
Lahore-based Honey Waqar, who has designed for Khar, has been quoted to say in the Hindustan Times, “She dresses conservatively, conscious of the fact that she represents a Muslim state. Her brief to the designer is not to make body-hugging dresses. But she’s extremely stylish.”
Indeed, every tidbit about Rabbani was dug out -- a feudal and very rich background, interest in trekking, polo, facebook fan clubs, Wikipedia accounts and more. Of particular interest to some are her amazing fitness levels despite being a mother of three.
Not much was expected from the official talks she led in terms of progress in Indo-Pak relations. India’s unhappiness with Pakistan’s soft handling of jehadi militancy remains. It was apparent that Rabbani was briefed well by her political and military bosses back home to tread the beaten path.
Her statements were measured. She met with Kashmiri Separatist leaders that have chosen to keep out of the political mainstream, an interaction that never goes down well with New Delhi.
Yet, the idea of ministerial and official exchanges between India and Pakistan is to keep the communication channels open so that the deep rooted suspicions do not worsen. The visit of HRK was not historical or path breaking in any sense. It was a refreshing aside.
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