Climate change threat for developing nations

Developing countries face 75-80 per cent of the potential damage from climate change and will need assistance in adapting to the changing climate. Moreover, the current financial crisis cannot be an excuse to put climate on the back burner, states the World Development Report 2010: Development and Climate Change.

The report notes that while financial crises may cause serious hardship and reduce growth over the short- to medium-term, they rarely last more than a few years and that the threat of a warming climate is far more severe and long-lasting.

It also points out the fact that geography coupled with high levels of poverty and population density make South Asian countries particularly vulnerable to climate change. Global warming of 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures — the minimum the world is likely to experience — could result in permanent reductions in GDP of 4 to 5 per cent for South Asia.

For India, yields of major crops are projected to fall 4.5 to 9 per cent within the next three decades, even allowing for short- term adaptations.

The report adds developing countries that need massive expansions in energy, transport, urban systems and agricultural production, use high-carbon technologies that produce more greenhouse gases.

In fact, India relies heavily on coal, which accounts for 53 per cent of its commercial energy demand, but there is potential for improving energy efficiency and reducing transmission and distribution losses.