Business India ×
 Climate Change

Government and Policy
Published on: April 23, 2020, 2:23 p.m.
"Economic crises are followed by recovery with higher emission growth"
  • No time for complacency. Source: Flickr

By Business India Editorial

Whilst COVID-19 has caused severe international health and economic crises, failure to tackle climate change may threaten human well-being, ecosystems and economies for centuries,” said World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Petteri Taalas on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day celebrated on 20 April. “We need to flatten both the pandemic and climate change curves,” he added.

COVID-19 may result in a temporary reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, but it is not a substitute for sustained climate action. And it will make it more difficult to tackle weather, climate, and water-related hazards which are becoming more acute because of climate change.

Previous economic crises have often been followed by “recovery” associated with much higher emission growth than before the crisis. Thus the agency has proposed that post COVID-19 stimulus packages should help the economy grow back 'greener'.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has also proposed six climate-related actions to shape the recovery and the work ahead.

  • To spend huge amounts of money to recover from the coronavirus, we must deliver new jobs and businesses through a clean, green transition.

  • Where taxpayers’ money is used to rescue businesses, it needs to be tied to achieving green jobs and sustainable growth.

  • Fiscal firepower must drive a shift from the grey to a green economy and make societies and people more resilient.

  • Public funds should be used to invest in the future, not the past, and flow to sustainable sectors and projects that help the environment and the climate.  Fossil fuel subsidies must end and polluters must start paying for their pollution.

  • Climate risks and opportunities must be incorporated into the financial system, as well as all aspects of public policymaking and infrastructure.

  • We need to work together as an international community.

"These six principles constitute an important guide to recovering better together.  Greenhouse gases, just like viruses, do not respect national boundaries.  On this Earth Day, please join me in demanding a healthy and resilient future for people and planet alike," said Gutteres.


Biogas

BioEnergy will showcase its innovative biogas technology in India

German BioEnergy enters Indian market

Published on Aug. 17, 2023, 11:54 a.m.

BioEnergy will showcase its innovative biogas technology in India

Mobility

Ather aims to produce 20,000 units every month, soon

Ather looks to double its market share

Published on Aug. 17, 2023, 11:26 a.m.

Ather aims to produce 20,000 units every month, soon

Green Hydrogen

German Development Agency, GIZ is working on a roadmap for a green hydrogen cluster in Kochi

‘Kerala Hydrogen ecosystem a model for all states’

Published on Aug. 17, 2023, 11:06 a.m.

German Development Agency, GIZ is working on a roadmap for a green hydrogen cluster in Kochi

Renewable Energy

AGEL set to play a big role in India’s carbon neutrality target

Adani Green eyes 45GW RE

Published on Aug. 17, 2023, 10:45 a.m.

AGEL set to play a big role in India’s carbon neutrality target

E-MAGAZINE

Agriculture

The introduction of black pepper as an inter-crop in the sopari and coconut orchards, has enabled farmers to cultivate crops simultaneously

Skill Development

In 2020-21, the programme reached over 112,482 girls in urban and rural locations across six states in India, including 10,000 across Delhi

Collaboration

The event brought together stakeholders and changemakers to participate in a series of conversations on global trends and recent developments

Healthcare

The programme will focus on educating children on oral health and building awareness around the dangers of tobacco use