Dr Lokesh Chandra Dube

Climate change is a matter of urgent concern to all countries of the world. The problem is being dealt through multilatery] ternational negotiations and domestic actions that inyolye collaboration, co-action and to some extant competition. Climate diplomacy landscape has changed since the adoption of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992, Thirty years on, the international climate discourse has moved from the debate on historical responsibilities driven by contribution… Show more

Climate change is a matter of urgent concern to all countries of the world. The problem is being dealt through multilatery] ternational negotiations and domestic actions that inyolye collaboration, co-action and to some extant competition. Climate diplomacy landscape has changed since the adoption of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992, Thirty years on, the international climate discourse has moved from the debate on historical responsibilities driven by contribution in cumulative global emissions to the forward-looking debate that seeks contribution of all countries in climate action regardless of much of their past role in creating the problem. This gives weightage to the role that countries would play in the future in the backdrop of their unique national circumstances and development imperatives. India, being a frontrunner on development saga of the twenty-first century, is expected to provide leadership to the world on climate change action as well. India’s emissions are bound to increase in short term due to large development deficit, but at the same time, the emissions would be aiming to peak soon and decline so that to achieve the target of net-zero emissions by 2070. India has recently updated the nationally determined contribution communicated to the UNFCCC and made its goals more aggressive and ambitious. Developments such as increasing spare of renewables in electricity gird mix, push for electric vehicles promotion of biofuels, innovations in technology and continuation of climate friendly lifestyle are making India speak from a position of strength. Yet, to realize the net-zero target at home and to convince the extravagant countries to induce deeper emission cuts at their end requires concerted efforts both on domestic policy fronts and at the diplomatic channels. India’s development priorities are non-negotiable and drive the country’s climate diplomacy. Show less

Small-scale forestry projects with carbon sequestration as primary aim have been developed and/or implemented by low-income communities on degraded land around the world. India has the highest number of such projects registered under the clean development mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol. Ten small-scale Afforestation and Reforestation (AR) CDM projects are being implemented for ameliorating degraded lands by the state forest department with the help of communities through joint forest… Show more

Small-scale forestry projects with carbon sequestration as primary aim have been developed and/or implemented by low-income communities on degraded land around the world. India has the highest number of such projects registered under the clean development mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol. Ten small-scale Afforestation and Reforestation (AR) CDM projects are being implemented for ameliorating degraded lands by the state forest department with the help of communities through joint forest management activities in different forest divisions of Uttar Pradesh. Two of these projects located in Kashi and Mahoba forest divisions were studied to understand whether carbon finance is really a concern in overall project set-up and who is the real beneficiary of this promised revenue? Results indicated that even though the carbon finance is promised and is said to have a critical role in making the projects additional over business-as-usual, it does not influence the decisions and choices of the locals unless the benefits are really visible. Show less

Several market-based instruments have been developed to facilitate effective mitigation of climate change through voluntary and regulatory measures. A number of such instruments are expected to hit the carbon markets with the take-off of the new global deal on climate change—The Paris Agreement, agreed in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), along with other planned and potential regional, national and sub-national regimes to address the problem of… Show more

Several market-based instruments have been developed to facilitate effective mitigation of climate change through voluntary and regulatory measures. A number of such instruments are expected to hit the carbon markets with the take-off of the new global deal on climate change—The Paris Agreement, agreed in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), along with other planned and potential regional, national and sub-national regimes to address the problem of climate change. With the possibility of inter-linking the carbon market segments in times to come, we see a complex picture of the existing carbon markets turning into a future supermarket. India is a leading country in terms of registered clean development mechanism (CDM) projects in the afforestation and reforestation (AR) sector. We explore the potential of India becoming a leading party in forest-based carbon supermarkets. We triangulated existing literature, on-ground observations from two registered AR-CDM projects being implemented in Kashi and Mahoba forest divisions in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, and expert interviews. We list the constraints and gaps in India’s readiness to identify and embrace the opportunity of being a top player in the upcoming climate change supermarket in the context of forest restoration. Show less

Proceedings of INTERNATIONAL e-CONFERENCE on “CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT" (ICCRDRMSD-2020) 17th & 18th August 2020
Organized by Nizam College, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana Forest College and Research Institute, Hyderabad@Mulugu, Telangana and Council for Green Revolution, Telangana. (P. 112-130).

Due to varying physical features, diverse socioeconomic profile and a wide range of climatic conditions India is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. A significant temperature increasing trend of 0.66°C per hundred years has been observed in India. The impacts of climate change get aggravated by increasing severity and in the frequency of extreme weather events. This article draws examples from latest scientific evidence of the observed impacts of climate change in India on the sectors… Show more

Due to varying physical features, diverse socioeconomic profile and a wide range of climatic conditions India is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. A significant temperature increasing trend of 0.66°C per hundred years has been observed in India. The impacts of climate change get aggravated by increasing severity and in the frequency of extreme weather events. This article draws examples from latest scientific evidence of the observed impacts of climate change in India on the sectors such as Himalayas and Glaciers, Water Resources, Forests and Biodiversity, Agriculture, Coastal and Marine Ecosystems. The article also draws attention to the latest efforts being undertaken to conduct systematic observation and understanding of the impacts of climate change in India through initiatives such as long term ecological observatories programme. The article concludes with a suggested framework for systematic and coordinated research in this direction. Show less

This article analyses the twin objectives of conserving carbon and biodiversity through results based payments coming from implementation of ‘reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks’ (collectively known as REDD+) activities in tropical countries. Possible ways to amalgamate the international carbon and biodiversity markets have been explored. Forest carbon stock can be… Show more

This article analyses the twin objectives of conserving carbon and biodiversity through results based payments coming from implementation of ‘reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks’ (collectively known as REDD+) activities in tropical countries. Possible ways to amalgamate the international carbon and biodiversity markets have been explored. Forest carbon stock can be conserved through financing mechanisms under both, compliance and voluntary structures of the carbon market. Most of the tropical countries are developing economies that need capacity building, technology transfer and financial support to efficiently reduce deforestation and conserve biodiversity. Under the New York Declaration on Forests, countries have taken collective voluntary targets to reduce deforestation. An estimation of potential emission reduction from reduced deforestation through voluntary targets in selected tropical countries has been presented. Show less

Climate change has emerged as the most-significant global environmental issue. It is both, a threat and a challenge. The projected climatic changes are likely to adversely affect the key economic sectors and sustainable development. Various scientific assessments and special reports brought out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reveal that there is discernible human impact on the climate system. The impact of climate change is projected to be more severe in developing… Show more

Climate change has emerged as the most-significant global environmental issue. It is both, a threat and a challenge. The projected climatic changes are likely to adversely affect the key economic sectors and sustainable development. Various scientific assessments and special reports brought out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reveal that there is discernible human impact on the climate system. The impact of climate change is projected to be more severe in developing countries across all sectors. Biodiversity is one such sector that is likely to be severely impacted. Changes to the present climate system in India may affect the different ecosystems with corresponding impacts on key sectors, such as water resources, agriculture, natural ecosystems including forestry, health and industrial sectors. This chapter reviews the status of knowledge on biodiversity and climate change; the latest understanding on the observed changes in climate, its impact on the biodiversity at global, regional and national scale in context of India; the projections of climate change at the same spatial scales and consequent impacts. It further discusses summarily the actions that have been taken in the global and national context that will mainstream climate change concerns vis-à-vis biodiversity and also the immediate research needs for a meaningful planning for sustaining biodiversity in the future. This chapter underscores the development of adaptation plans as a suitable strategy in the longer-term perspective to mitigate the challenges posed by likely climatic changes and recommends setting up of long-term ecological observatory networks across all vulnerable biodiversity hotspots. Show less

Forests, by acting as carbon sinks, mitigate the effects of climate change. Forests, and their associated biodiversity, on the other hand are directly and indirectly impacted by changing climatic conditions as well as elements of climate policy. While the climate change gained prominence in political and public discourse, biodiversity lagged behind, so did the adaptation under the existing market mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol. These mechanisms have resulted in loss of natural forest cover… Show more

Forests, by acting as carbon sinks, mitigate the effects of climate change. Forests, and their associated biodiversity, on the other hand are directly and indirectly impacted by changing climatic conditions as well as elements of climate policy. While the climate change gained prominence in political and public discourse, biodiversity lagged behind, so did the adaptation under the existing market mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol. These mechanisms have resulted in loss of natural forest cover and growth of monocultures in pursuit of carbon credits. The adaptation gap can be addressed by new mechanisms: Cooperative approaches, non-market approaches (NMAs) and Sustainable Development Mechanism (SDM) established by the Paris Agreement which accords equal importance to mitigation and adaptation. This paper compares NMAs with Kyoto mechanisms and studies their role in environmental and social safeguards. It addresses three main aspects: (i) Role of climate policies in biodiversity conservation; (ii) Creating socio-environmental safeguards in forestry, and; (iii) Importance and role of NMAs in encouraging forest protection. It comes to the conclusion that lessons learnt from the on-going projects must be accounted for while implementing NMAs, which offer better options for streamlining climate change and biodiversity actions through joint mitigation and adaptation approach. Show less

The first goal in India's NDC is to put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation. SAMANVAY is a step in this direction. The Book was released by Honorable Minister (EF&CC) at India Pavilion during COP 23 at Bonn.

‘Low Carbon Lifestyles Right choices for our planet’; published by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India in November, 2016. 72 pp. ISBN: 978-81-933131-0-7. Released at COP22, Marrakesh

Forests being an important natural resource, not only play a vital role in providing food, shelter and livelihood but are also storehouses of natural diversity. In the recent times, the climate change debate has realized the immense role of forest resources in adaptation and mitigation of climate change. The Paris Agreement and the convention call for taking action to conserve and enhance sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases, including forests. In response to this, forestry based… Show more

Forests being an important natural resource, not only play a vital role in providing food, shelter and livelihood but are also storehouses of natural diversity. In the recent times, the climate change debate has realized the immense role of forest resources in adaptation and mitigation of climate change. The Paris Agreement and the convention call for taking action to conserve and enhance sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases, including forests. In response to this, forestry based opportunities have emerged as a promising option in carbon markets, particularly in voluntary carbon markets. One such mechanism called REDD supplemented with sustainable management of forests, forest conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stock is being considered as an ecosystem based approach targeting international climate policy regime under the UNFCCC and some voluntary initiatives. In this view, the paper attempts to review the issues associated with planning and implementation of REDD+ activities in India. The introductory section deliberateson the social and economic issues related to implementation of REDD+ activities. A brief analysis shows that the issue is closely linked to policy aspects of the country as roughly 275 million people of India depend on forests for at least a part of their subsistence and livelihood. Heavy dependence on them has created pressure on natural forests leading to their degradation.Also, this paper identifies the knowledge gaps and concludes that the concept of REDD+ is still young in India and requires new legal formulations and safeguards to be a success of its own kind. The paper lists certain challenges in implementation of REDD+ forestry projects with recommendations for further development.In light of the Paris Agreement, market size of REDD+, its appeal in carbon market and pricing, given the socio-economic constraints and international pressure of target based domestic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions need to be premeditated. Show less

Estimation of emissions from use of non-renewable wood in traditional crematoria and their contribution to Climate Change is the concept behind this book. This book covers the study of three prominent crematoria of Northern India- Haridwar, Allahabad and Varanasi. National level projections of firewood consumption and carbon dioxide emissions from traditional cremation have also been made based on census data. Suggested alternatives have potential of being developed as carbon abatement projects… Show more

Estimation of emissions from use of non-renewable wood in traditional crematoria and their contribution to Climate Change is the concept behind this book. This book covers the study of three prominent crematoria of Northern India- Haridwar, Allahabad and Varanasi. National level projections of firewood consumption and carbon dioxide emissions from traditional cremation have also been made based on census data. Suggested alternatives have potential of being developed as carbon abatement projects under different segments of the carbon market. Show less

Potential in compliance and voluntary carbon market for algal biodiesel.
Authors- Dube, L. C.; Ankit Kumar
Editors- Bhatnagar, S. K.;Saxena, A.;Kraan, S.
Book- Algae biofuel 2011 pp. 229-239
ISBN- 978-93-80012-44-5

‘Climate Change Mitigation Opportunities in Bamboo and Bamboo applications’ by Lokesh Chandra Dube*. Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre’s Technical Papers-III; edited by Dr. M L Choudhary and Kamesh Salam; (page 205-213).