GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Environment, Conservation
Source: DTE
Context: According to a report titled ‘XDI’s Gross Domestic Climate Risk’, the Indian economy is likely to suffer alongside China and the US due to climatic impacts.
About the report:
- It has been prepared by XDI (The Cross Dependency Initiative) – an independent specialist established in 2006.
- It predicts damage to the built environment from extreme weather (flooding, forest fires) and climate change (sea level rise) and also identifies which jurisdictions see the greatest escalation of damage from 1990 to 2050.
India-specific findings:
- It shows that 14 Indian states are set to remain within the top 100 most climate-risk-prone territories of the world by 2050.
- Bihar (followed by UP and Assam) is set to be the most climate-vulnerable region in India by 2050.
- Assam is the most vulnerable region in India in terms of the increase of climatic impacts during 1990-2050.
Global findings:
- Two of China’s largest sub-national economies (Jiangsu and Shandong) are in first and second place.
- After China, the US has the most high-risk states with 18 states in the top 100, with Florida being the highest-ranking US state.
- Other globally significant economic hubs in the top 100 include Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Jakarta, Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City, Taiwan and Mumbai.
- Southeast Asia experiences the greatest escalation in damage from 1990 to 2050 anywhere in the world.
Significance of the report:
- This is the first physical climate risk analysis focused exclusively on the built environment, comparing every state, province and territory in the world.
- It will help investors and project developers to plan accordingly.
Way ahead:
- Scientists and experts need to get together, understand and find solutions to mitigate/adapt to risks posed by climate change.
- There is a need to protect blue and green infrastructure as the window of opportunity according to the IPCC report is about 15-20 years.
Conclusion: As the global temperature is expected to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050, the risk is going to compound for some of these cities ranked in the report. Therefore, sustainable development through renewable energy transition is unavoidable.
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