"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows"

http://t.co/i6rVLA1SEh

Twitterati: Milind Deora speaks, Rahul Gandhi follows

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Dec 28, 2013, 02.42AM IST 

Many tweets said the Congress had first decided something, Deora then spoke against it and Rahul finally put his stamp on it.

NEW DELHI: It may just be a coincidence but it set Twitter abuzz. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's disapproval of the Maharashtra government rejecting the Adarsh probe panel's report came close on the heels of Union minister Milind Deora's similar remark three days ago, and several people saw a pattern in it.

It was the second time when Rahul expressed strong views on something which was first flagged by the Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai.

It happened for the first time in September when Rahul trashed an ordinance cleared by the Union Cabinet to negate a Supreme Court judgment which provided for immediate disqualification of MPs and MLAs after conviction. Deora had spoken against it one day earlier.

Though Deora called it "coincidental," Twitter was abuzz with people finding a pattern. Many tweets said the Congress had first decided something, Deora then spoke against it and Rahul finally put his stamp on it.

The remarks and jokes around it on Twitter even saw an intervention by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. "If Milind speaks, can Rahul be far behind," she tweeted.

Deora had on December 24 tweeted, "If the Adarsh committee report raises questions, we should investigate (agnostic of party or bureaucracy), answer them and not be hush!"

As Rahul's disapproval of the Maharashtra government's decision came just three days after Deora's remark on Friday, bloggers instantly saw a pattern.

Deora, however, tweeted, "Those of you speculating that I'm Congress party's newest weatherman, flattering and coincidental but not true."

The young minister even quoted from American singer Bob Dylan's famous song in his tweet, saying, "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows — Bob Dylan." ..................................................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEzLzEyLzI4I0FyMDExMDI=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Politics or Economy or Environment ..... Is it a case of misplaced priority for short-term gains?

http://t.co/ucuziGzkRo

Liberal norms under Moily's watch worry green groups

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Dec 28, 2013, 03.43AM IST 

Union environment ministry's liberal approach under the new minister M Veerappa Moily has made the green groups worried.

NEW DELHI: Union environment ministry's liberal approach under the new minister M Veerappa Moily has made the green groups worried.

They also wondered whether the haste shown by the Centre is part of an orchestrated campaign to dismantle environmental regulatory control in a bid to boost economic activities.

"We are worried about the tone and tenor of the debate on green clearances. It is clear that this is an orchestrated campaign to dismantle green regulatory controls in the name of growth," said environmentalist Sunita Narain on Friday.

Seeking to highlight the problem, Narain, who has been part of various government panels for long, said, "Our assessment shows while countless projects have been given environmental clearance, they have not been implemented".

She noted that the problem lied elsewhere; hinting at the urgency shown by easing certain norms for quick green clearance is, indeed, a misplaced priority.

Her remark is in tune with the concerns expressed by other green activists. They questioned the reason of an urgency that prompted Moily not only to decide to review his ministry's recent order on ecologically fragile Western Ghats but also come out with guidelines to ease green norms for certain activities where states are supposed to have the final say.

Both the decisions were, incidentally, taken on Tuesday — the day Moily took additional charge of the environment ministry. Though the new minister promised to take quick decisions without compromising on the green norms, his ministry's move gave a different impression.

"We need to reform and strengthen green clearances to safeguard people's concerns, not destroy regulatory oversight," Narain said.

Amid such concerns expressed by green activists, a wildlife panel has even pointed out certain violations of green norms by the state-run Oil India Limited (OIL) which comes under Moily's petroleum ministry.

The panel, appointed by the standing committee on National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), came down heavily on the oil company for violating norms while laying pipeline through an ecologically sensitive area in Assam.

"We are deeply distressed that the OIL, as a leading public sector company, instead of serving as a beacon for environmental compliance to others in the industry, appears to have evaded environmental norms," said the two-member NBWL panel in its report.

The panel was formed to look into OIL's proposal for use of 114.267 ha of non-forestland falling within 10 km from the boundary of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Borjan-Bherjan-Padumani Wildlife Sanctuary. In its report, the panel found that the oil company was seeking clearances for projects on which work has already been done.

"We strongly disapprove of the current trend of presenting the SC-NBWL with fait accompli situations and seeking post-facto clearances for projects on which work has already been undertaken without the requisite prior permissions," the report added

Such trends were also noted by several green advocacy groups, including Narain's Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), in their assessments of various clearances. They found that the existing procedures had many loopholes which prevented the system from working properly.

The CSE noted that though clearances were being granted to projects with many conditions, there was no agency to monitor implementation of these conditions. Its deputy director general, Chandra Bhushan, said, "Instead of focusing on strengthening the system (of green clearances), the government seems to be hell-bent on destroying it completely"...........................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTMvMTIvMjgjQXIwMTIwMg==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Fresh Green Guidelines by poll-bound government

http://t.co/JeT27u4n0t

Center comes out with fresh green guidelines to help states take quick decision

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Dec 26, 2013, 09.30PM IST 

NEW DELHI: Heeding to states' request for simplification of green clearance process, the Union environment ministry has come out with detailed guidelines giving more powers to states by exempting certain category of industries, constructions and mining of minor minerals - including river sand mining projects in medium size lease area - from going through cumbersome and time-consuming steps.

The move, which may spur growth in the less-hazardous sector, will exempt those activities from mandatory "public consultation process" and other lengthy appraisal processes before getting states' green nod.

Though all activities - irrespective of size or nature of projects — will have to get mandatory clearance from the State-Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), the amendments in the EIA notification will quicken the decision making process for taking call on lesser evils.

Besides the mining of 'brick earth' (mined for making brick) which was put in the fast-track category earlier, the others which will now have to go through simple green clearance process include setting up of manmade fiber manufacturing units producing fibers from granules or chips and aerial ropeway projects.

Single super phosphate chemical fertilizer plant, coal\lignite\naphtha-based thermal power plants of less than 5 MW of capacity and non-toxic secondary metallurgical processing industries among other non-hazardous or less hazardous works will also come under this category.

These activities are clubbed as B2 category under the EIA Notification, 2006 which will be appraised based on pre-feasibility report and declaration of other information relating to land, water and energy requirement, use of hazardous substances, disposal of waste and emission from production process.

The other activities come under B1 category which will require detailed EIA report for appraisal and to undergo "public consultation process" that takes lot of time before the SEIAA comes to a final decision. Earlier, both B1 and B2 categories came under a single B category where states empowered to take decision without differentiating between nature or extent of hazards.

Incidentally, the guideline of simplifying the green clearance process for states was issued on the day (Tuesday) the new environment minister M Veerappa Moily took charge of the green ministry.

It is learnt that the chief ministers of Maharashtra (Prithviraj Chavan) and Kerala (Oommen Chandy) had raised the issue when they met Moily on Tuesday. Besides these two states, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have also been pressing the Centre for streamlining the process of environment clearance.

As far as river sand mining projects are concerned, the new guideline says that "no river sand mining project, with mine lease area less than five hectare, may be considered for granting environment clearance. The river sand mining projects with minimum lease area greater than or equal to five hectare but less than 25 hectare will be categorized as B2".

"The area equals or exceeds 25 hectare (separately or in cluster) will become category B1 project under the EIA Notification, requiring tougher rule for green nod", says the guideline.

As of now, mining projects of minor minerals with less than 50 hectare of mining lease area are categorized as Category B.

Under the 2006 notification, the category A projects - comprising big national projects - get environmental clearance from the central government whereas category B activities come before the respective state or Union Territory for final decision.

The categorization of Category B projects\activities into Category B1 and B2 will help the states in taking quick decision.

Since there was no clarity on the Category B projects, the environment ministry had in January constituted an expert committee under the chairmanship of director, NEERI, Nagpur. The categorization of B1 and B2 is the outcome of the report submitted by the Committee.............................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTMvMTIvMjcjQXIwMTkwMQ==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

New Green Minister shows his colour on Day 1 .... wait for more surprises where politics would score over environment

http://t.co/To3RskAGnr

Veerappa Moily agrees to review Western Ghats ban after meeting Maharashtra, Kerala CMs

Vishwa Mohan & Rajeev Deshpande,TNN | Dec 25, 2013, 03.58AM IST 

The decision to prohibit polluting industries and big construction projects in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats has become a major political issue particularly in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala with business lobbies up in arms against the ban.

NEW DELHI: Among the first decisions the new environment minister Veerappa Moily took on Tuesday was to seek fresh opinions on the ban on big projects in the Western Ghats after a meeting with Maharashtra and Kerala chief ministers Prithviraj Chavan and Oomen Chandy.

Soon after Moily, who is also the petroleum minister, took charge as environment and forests, the aggrieved CMs paid a "courtesy call" that saw them urgently raising the Centre's decision to implement the Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats.

Chavan and Chandy apprised Moily of the impact of the environment ministry's nod for restrictions in the recently earmarked Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) that covers nearly 37% area (60,000 sq km) of the fragile Western Ghats across six states of Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The environment ministry's clarifications that agricultural and plantation activities will not be affected has failed to convince villagers who consider the decision an arbitrary infringement that could affect their livelihoods.

The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) came out with a swift assurance, saying, "After having considered the concerns raised by them, the minister of environment and forests has agreed to address letters to the chief ministers of all the six states which are likely to be affected by the implementation of the said report".

It said the minister would also request the chief ministers to examine various recommendations of the report and send their suggestions/objections to the ministry in a time-bound manner. "The suggestions/objections of these states will be considered and appropriate decisions on the recommendations of the said report will be taken after due consideration of these suggestions/ objections," said the statement.

The decision to prohibit polluting industries and big construction projects in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats has become a major political issue particularly in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala with business lobbies up in arms against the ban.

The Centre recently clarified agricultural activities are outside the purview of the ban, but Congress governments in three of the four states are exerting considerable pressure for a lenient view on the Kasturirangan panel recommendations.

Sources said Chavan also took up restrictions on mining of minor minerals - this includes earth needed to make bricks - despite the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) pushing for easing of these regulations.

Chavan has earlier submitted a list of around 20 issues and there will be follow up meetings with Moily in Mumbai and Nagpur soon.

Kerala has witnessed protests against the decision on Western Ghats with the ruling Congress in the state even demanding withdrawal of the environment ministry's office memorandum. Other affected states also raised the issue, alleging that the panel did not take view of states while enlisting thousands of villages across the Western Ghats under the ESA.

Immediately after taking additional charge of the green ministry, Moily insisted that all decisions will be taken without compromising on existing green norms. "There are already set rules...we need to perform the duty of regulator. The rules of game will have to be strictly followed. As far as possible, nothing should be left for the discretion. Ultimately, we have to go by rules of games which are laid down by the ministry."

Moily also dismissed the suggestions that there will be conflict of interest as he handles the portfolio of petroleum and natural gas which need lot of green clearances from the environment ministry. He said, "There is space for everyone ... environment, wildlife and mankind. It is only our mental block which sometime thinks that there is friction and I think that friction will have to end up with fusion".

He also said, "Everything has its space. Petroleum has its space.... every ministry has a space....Ultimately, we have to go by the rules of the game which have been laid out by any ministry. We should not cross it. There should not be any fear or favour while discharging the duties"..............................................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTMvMTIvMjUjQXIwMTkwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom 

Surprise exit of Jayanthi Natarajan from the Green Ministry

http://t.co/d37MsogHmo

Green nod delay didn't cost me job, Jayanthi Natarajan says

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Dec 23, 2013, 02.58AM IST 

Jayanthi Natarajan has dismissed speculation that delay in environmental clearances for many high-value projects had led to her removal.

NEW DELHI: Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jayanthi Natarajan, who resigned from the council of ministers to take up party work ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, on Sunday dismissed speculation that delay in environmental clearances for many high-value projects had led to her removal and said the majority of applications for green nod was actually processed and cleared by states.

"Only 8% projects come to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF). Ninety-two per cent of the projects are cleared by states. Nothing came to me. There are no pending projects," Natarajan told TOI.

She said the MoEF had followed a very transparent system and put out all details concerning environmental clearances on its website.

Citing a rule where an application for environmental clearance is deemed to be cleared if it is not processed within 60 days in most cases, Natarajan said, "The allegation of delay is out of sheer ignorance. If applicants follow all the procedures and come out with required details, the ministry never sits over it knowing the implication under the existing rules."

She also pointed to a rule for forest clearance where only projects covering above 40 hectares of land come to the MoEF for clearance.

Her resignation on Saturday triggered speculation over her stepping down from the key ministerial post as hours after she put in her papers, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi acknowledged unreasonable pendency in green clearances. Rahul expressed concern while addressing industry representatives at a business meet here.

Natarajan, however, said, "No projects have been put on hold (at MoEF's end). No projects at all ... I quit the government for party work. No other reasons. The prime minister has appreciated my work... I requested the PM to relieve me in order to let me devote my energy for party work."

Asked about real green concerns when she was at the helm of affairs, Natarajan said she was actually apprehensive about big dams and hydro-electric power projects in the wake of the Uttarakhand tragedy. She said there were "legitimate environmental concerns" and such projects needed very careful appraisal.

"All aspects have to be considered carefully after the tragedy in Uttarakhand. Therefore, we have to appraise the project very carefully if it involves thousands of acres of forest land," she said........http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JS00vMjAxMy8xMi8yMyNBcjAwODAx&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Western Ghats ...... Poor draft of its first order forced the Centre tocome out with clarification .... The MoEF realises the fallout of its folly and prefers to come out with detail OM on the sensitive green issue

http://t.co/BqQbWWpWPm

Centre withdraws its previous green order on Western Ghats

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Dec 20, 2013, 06.11PM IST 

NEW DELHI: Amid intense pressures from states ahead of general election, the Union environment ministry on Friday withdrew its previous order on Western Ghats and issued a fresh one clarifying that the Centre's decision to treat 60,000 sq km across six states as Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) would not affect normal activities like agriculture and plantation.

The new office memorandum said that the ministry was ready to bring "modifications" in earmarking the ESA on the basis of suggestions made by states after physical verification. The clause is seen as a loophole that may delay the process of implementing recommendations of the Kasturirangan panel in the ecologically fragile zone.

"The entire exercise will certainly take time. The panel's recommendation cannot be implemented unless there is clarity on the ESA boundary," said a senior environment ministry official.

The ministry had last month accepted "in principle" the recommendations of the panel which prohibited activities like mining, quarrying and setting up thermal power plants and other high polluting industries in the 60,000 sq km area spanning across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

"The earlier office memorandum of November 16 regarding 'in principle' acceptance of the high-level working group (Kasturirangan panel) report on Western Ghats stands withdrawn," said an order issued by the ministry on Friday.

This order will, however, not affect the ministry's decision to go ahead with the panel's recommendations as far as polluting industries and big constructions are concerned.

Friday's order incorporated three additional points that are merely clarifications. It said, "The recommendations given by the high level working group neither put any fresh restrictions on land use in the ESA nor do they in any way impact the continued occupation of land in possession of the local people and affect their day to day activities or normal livelihood."

It clarified that the recommendations also did not prohibit or restrict any normal activities relating to plantations, agriculture or any other activity except the high polluting ones, identified by the panel.

The move comes after a series of protests by villagers against the Centre's decision in the affected states in the past one month. The Kerala government as well as the Opposition had been vocal against the decision, saying it will affect the livelihood of locals.

The ministry, which came out with a list of villages in six states that were included in the ESA prohibiting certain activities, has now decided to "fine tune" the boundary of the prohibited zone after taking inputs from state governments.

The pressure from Kerala government had started building up more after Congress's poor show in recent assembly polls. Although the ministry officials had verbally clarified that the decision would not affect the farmers or other local inhabitants in the ESA, the clarification did not pacify the agitators in the state.

November's order had prohibited activities like mining, quarrying and setting up thermal power plants and other high polluting industries "with immediate effect".

Building and construction projects of 20,000 sq meters and above and township and area development projects with an area of 50 hectares and above or with built up area of 1,50,000 sq meters and above were also prohibited in these areas. The order had, however, made it clear that it would not affect the hydro power and wind energy projects in those areas. These activities will be allowed subject to "stringent conditions" and "applicable regulations".......http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JUFUvMjAxMy8xMi8yMSNBcjAwOTAw&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom 

Dangerous river stretches across the country ..... rivers turn dirty drains in many parts on mainland

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http://t.co/Zgky10fwVt

Pollution takes a toll on aquatic life in 150 river stretches

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Dec 13, 2013, 08.21AM IST 

NEW DELHI: Discharge of untreated water into various rivers has left 150 river stretches across the country completely polluted. The level of contamination in these stretches is so high that it cannot support any aquatic life.

These stretches are located in almost all parts of the country except Jammu & Kashmir and couple of Union Territories and northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

However, rivers flowing through Maharashtra and Gujarat account for around one-third of all the identified stretches.

The stretches are identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through constant monitoring of water quality of 293 rivers. It is based on the BOD (bio-chemical oxygen demand) levels in water that shows the extent of organic and bacterial contamination.

Details of the CPCB findings — shared by the Union environment ministry in response to a Parliament Question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday — show that the maximum number of such polluted river stretches (28) are located in Maharashtra, followed by Gujarat (19), Uttar Pradesh (12), Karnataka (11) and Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh (nine each).

The Central pollution watchdog had first compiled its report on polluted river stretches in December, 2009, after testing water samples taken between 1995 and 2008. These stretches are being monitored constantly since then through a network of 1,429 water quality monitoring stations in states and UTs.

The findings of these monitoring stations are updated and shared with states\UTs that are responsible for abatement of pollution in those identified stretches.

Giving details of the findings, the minister of environment and forests Jayanthi Natarajan, said, "The ministry is supplementing the efforts of the state governments in abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers in the country under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) programme, for implementation of projects on a cost sharing basis between the Central and state governments".

Statistics show that the states and UTs had collectively spent over Rs 1,756 crore to implement those river water-control projects in the past three years. The Centre had contributed Rs 1,113 crore towards the states' expenditure during the period.

Various schemes are being implemented by states to minimize the pollution level. It includes interception and diversion of raw sewage, setting up of sewage treatment plants, creation of low cost sanitation facilities, setting up of electric crematorium and development of river front.

Natarajan, in her written response in the Upper House, said, "The NRCP including NGRBA programme, presently covers 42 rivers in 195 towns spread over 20 states at a sanctioned cost of Rs 9336.87 crore".

"Till date, sewage treatment capacity of 4814.80 million litres per day has been created under the plan," she added..............................................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTMvMTIvMTMjQXIwMTkwMw==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom 

Warsaw climate talks (COP19) .... sidelines discussed about culprits,responsibility and accountability .... it will dominate Lima (COP20) in 2014

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http://t.co/lB2LuQgvT6

90 firms responsible for emitting two-thirds of world's deadly gases since 1751: Study

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 30, 2013, 03.30AM IST 

90 companies – mostly belonging to rich countries – have emitted nearly two-thirds of the total carbon dioxide and methane emissions in the world since 1751.

NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing debate over how to arrive at a global climate deal which may be acceptable to all nations, new research on greenhouse gas emissions has listed 90 companies - mostly belonging to rich countries - as the major culprits who emitted nearly two-thirds of the total carbon dioxide and methane emissions in the world since 1751.

Though the list also carries the names of three Indian public sector companies - Coal India Limited, ONGC and Singareni Collieries Company Limited - and coal and cement producers of China, the research will further strengthen the developing countries' argument seeking developed nations to act on emission cuts keeping in mind their historical responsibility.

Analysis of the research - conducted by Richard Heede at the Colorado-based Climate Accountability Institute - was published in scientific journal 'Climatic Change' at a time when rich and poor nations were at loggerheads over the issue of differentiation between 'developed' and 'developing' countries during the climate conference in Warsaw last week.

The US-led rich nations have long been arguing to end this differentiation, pointing out that developing countries including growing economies like India and China are equally responsible for high emissions in the past couple of decades.

At present, only developed countries have obligation to cut emissions under the Kyoto Protocol which spares the poor nations and growing economies from such responsibility. Developing countries do not want dilution of such clause at any cost once they will arrive at a universal climate deal in Paris in 2015, arguing that the "historical responsibility" must be factored in during any future agreement.

The differentiation is based on the premise that the historical responsibilities for climate change lie with the rich nations who were among the first lot of countries to be industrialized.


The new research will help the developing countries push this argument further as it found that the majority of the companies that had contributed to global warming through high emissions during 1751-2010 was based in rich countries like the US, the UK, Germany, France, Japan and Canada among others.

The research shows that 90 companies from across the globe had emitted 63% of total industrial emissions (carbon dioxide and methane) during 1751-2010.

Though the report has put remaining 37% of the total emissions under the "unattributed" category, it carried a detailed list of all state-owned and private entities which were responsible for emitting 914 gigatonnes of CO2 and methane during the period since beginning of industrial age.

Of these entities, 56 are oil and natural gas companies, 37 are coal producers (including coal subsidiaries of Oil and Gas Company) and seven are cement producers. The list of 90 includes 50 investor-owned (private) companies, 31 state-owned (public) companies and nine ran by nation-states (communist block like former USSR, China, North Korea, Poland, Czech Republic among others)

In fact, 40% of the total such private entities operate in US - the country that had been most vocal while seeking to dilute the differentiation between 'developed' and 'developing' countries during the recently held climate talks in Warsaw, Poland............................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEzLzExLzMwI0FyMDEwMDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Warsaw climate talks (COP19) conclude with something (REDD+) to show ahead of Lima (COP20) and Paris (COP21)

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Warsaw climate summit pledges funds for afforestation

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 26, 2013, 04.09AM IST 

Philippine climate commissioner Naderev Sano (right) holds a sign at the closing session during the 19th conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Warsaw on November 23, 2013. (Reuters photo)

NEW DELHI: The climate talks in Warsaw may not have come up to the expectation of poor nations but it ended on a hopeful note on Sunday with negotiators taking a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation by agreeing to result-based payment to developing countries which cut carbon by leaving trees standing.

The money — to be collected through contributions from rich nations — will be used for increasing forest cover.

Known as REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) initiative, the move will work as an incentive for developing countries. The money to be collected for this purpose will be managed by the World Bank's Bio-Carbon Fund.

Though only three countries — the UK, Norway and the US — have so far pledged money to the tune of $280 million to finance the initiative, the move is seen as a step in the right direction as deforestation accounts for nearly 20% of global emissions of carbon dioxide.

The decision to set up an international mechanism on 'Loss and Damage' and a baby step towards capitalization of Green Climate Fund may also be seen in positive light when countries have to chart out their next course of action before arriving at the final global climate deal in Paris in 2015.

'Loss and Damage' is a mechanism where the poorest and most vulnerable nations may get financial assistance on the premise that they had to suffer losses due to the damage caused by high emissions of greenhouse gases by rich countries over the years.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is, on the other hand, a $100 billion annual kitty which is meant for adaptation and reduction of emission by poor countries to fight climate change. The GCF will open its headquarters in Incheon, South Korea on December 4 - a beginning of the process where rich nations have been asked to start their contributions before the next climate conference in Lima, Peru in December 2014.

The Warsaw outcome, however, failed to impress green groups who wanted a clear roadmap for GCF so that the move could create an atmosphere of trust before the countries reach a universal climate agreement in 2015.

Prominent Delhi-based research and advocacy group, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), on Monday summed up the concerns of environmentalists who think "India lost its momentum in Warsaw".

Though environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan, along with representatives of other like-minded developing countries, withstood pressure of the US-led rich nations which wanted to end differentiation between "developed" and "developing" countries, the CSE thinks the developing countries could have done better in Warsaw.

"India will have to go back to the drawing board to reclaim its space in climate talks," CSE's deputy director general Chandra Bhushan said.

The group thinks developing countries gained little out of the climate talks in Warsaw and differentiation between developed and developing countries got further diluted.

"Some developed countries even went back on their emissions reduction commitments... Without any clarity on finance for loss and damage, Warsaw ended up with a hollow loss and damage mechanism," Bhushan said.

The differentiation between "developed" and "developing" countries is a key component of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol which put the onus of emission cut only on developed countries and spared developing countries from such obligations.

The differentiation is based on the premise that the historical responsibilities for climate change lie with the rich nations who were among the first lot of countries to be industrialized.........................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTMvMTEvMjYjQXIwMTIwMQ==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Warsaw climate talks (COP19) ..... negotiators look for debating points before reaching Lima for COP20

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Closed-door discussion continues to save Warsaw climate talks from collapsing

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 22, 2013, 09.52PM IST 

WARSAW: In a last ditch effort to save the climate talks from being collapsed, head of delegation of key countries on Friday stepped up their behind the scene parleys to commit something on financial assistance front so that the goal to Paris for final deal two years from now remains within reach.

It is likely that the Conference of Parties (COP) on climate change - which was scheduled to be concluded on Friday itself - may face the marathon ministerial round, leading the floor to remain open till Saturday morning.

Indian side has already made it clear that New Delhi won't compromise on its existing position when the final draft of the talks comes for approval on Friday night.

Indian environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan may question the approach of the developed countries more emphatically through her intervention during the marathon round if the rich nations won't give a definite timeline to fulfil their promise.

She had made her intent clear during her formal speech a day before when she said the non-capitalization of Green Climate Fund (GCF) was a matter of serious concern and it threatened the "credibility of the global negotiation process".

Delegates of different countries, who have been part of various negotiations, told the TOI that the US stand continues to be quite rigid on setting up a mechanism for loss and damage and giving any definite timeline to begin capitalisation for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) - a 100 billion US dollars annual kitty that is to be filled by rich nations - which is meant for adaptation and reduction of emission by poor countries to fight the menace of climate change.

Natarajan had said, "Till now, no road map has been agreed to by developed countries to mobilize 100 billion US dollars annually by 2020 as agreed in Cancun".

Amid all round criticism for blocking the crucial matter of finance, US is, however, likely to move a bit so that the climate talks should not be termed as a failure on key issue.

US special envoy for climate change Todd Stern, while addressing a press conference on Friday, gave such hint and said that the capitalization to the Fund would start by an year from now.

Though he refused to give any definite timeline or budge on setting up a 'loss and damage' mechanism, it is learnt that he is holding many behind the scene meetings with representatives of EU member countries and other rich nations to bring clarity on GCF.

Loss and Damage is a mechanism where poorest and most vulnerable nations want financial assistance on the premise that they had to suffer losses due to the damage caused by high emissions of greenhouse gases by rich countries over the years during industrialization period.

As the final round is about the begin, the differences between rich and poor nations remain unaddressed. While US-led rich nations want to talk only about their contribution post-2020, developing countries want them to focus on pre-2020.

US insistence on making developing countries too pay for the GCF has also become a major irritant. Certainly, developing countries will not agree to any such formulation which dilutes the line between rich and poor nations in terms of accountability and future responsibility.........................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTMvMTEvMjMjQXIwMTgwMg==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Warsaw climate talks (COP19) .... laughing gas is, indeed, not a laughing matter .... the issue to gain ground before reaching Paris

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UN report on laughing gas underlines climate risk

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 21, 2013, 09.42PM IST 

WARSAW: Laughing gas is, indeed, no laughing matter. The United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) on Thursday released an eye-opening report on the sidelines of the ongoing climate talks, warning that nitrous oxide (N2O) — commonly known as laughing gas — with 300 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide (CO2) poses a major global climate risk.

The report highlighted that the emissions of nitrous oxide — an often overlooked yet potent gas — could nearly double by 2050 and potentially undermine gains in the ozone layer recovery and exacerbate climate change. While NO2 exists naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts, human activities have increased its concentrations since the industrial revolution. Drawing Down N2O to Protect Climate and the Ozone Layer — the new report by the UNEP — warns that nitrous oxide is now the most important ozone-depleting emission and the third most potent greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere.

The report, produced in conjunction with scientists and experts from more than 35 organizations, points out that it is possible to draw down N2O emissions if there is determination and commitment to act. "Reducing N2O emissions has major cost benefits since emissions are connected to diverse economic sectors from agriculture, chemical manufacturing and electricity production to waste management, transportation and fish production. "Gains from emissions reduction will include increased crop and livestock productivity, poverty alleviation, improved human health and reduced environmental degradation," said the UNEP statement.

An earlier study quoted by the report indicated that an across-the-board improvement in nitrogen use efficiency of 20% would cost around $12 billion annually, but would save around $23 billion in annual fertilizer costs alone. "Additional environmental, climate and human benefits could be worth an estimated US$160 billion per annum," said the statement.

"We need all hands on deck to combat the serious and significant increases in N2O levels in the atmosphere," said UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP executive director Achim Steiner.

"UNEP is working on a range of fronts to support the international efforts under the UN Climate Convention, from catalyzing the uptake of renewable energies and energy efficiency to adaptation projects in many parts of the globe." "In addition UNEP is working through a myriad of voluntary pathways from accelerating the policy switches towards an inclusive, resource-efficient green economy to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to reduce emissions of climate pollutants such as hydroflourocarbons (HFCs), methane and black carbon," said Steiner.

"Although not as prevalent in the atmosphere as CO2 in terms of mass, N2O is far from a laughing matter in respect to climate and ozone damage as it has a disproportionate impact on global warming because of its radiative properties and long lifetime in the atmosphere, which is 120 years on average. Action on these emissions offer yet another opportunity to keep the world under a 2 degree C temperature rise," he added. Most of the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer up to now has been due to the infamous Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other halogenated (chlorine- and bromine-containing) chemicals.

However, these chemicals — unlike N2O — are now widely controlled by the Montreal Protocol, an international Treaty designed to protect the ozone layer.

Agriculture is by far the largest source of human-induced N2O emissions, accounting for two-thirds of these emissions. Meanwhile, other important sources of N2O include industry and fossil fuel combustion, biomass burning and wastewater.

The report lists specific, actionable measures that can be taken in each of these areas.

Warsaw climate talks (COP19) ..... Green NGOs are playing an importantrole in the entire debate

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India backs NGOs’ gesture at climate talks

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 21, 2013, 09.51PM IST 

WARSAW: India on Thursday expressed its solidarity with the NGOs who walked out from the ongoing climate conference and said that it was a matter of deep concern for New Delhi that there has been absolutely no progress in any of the issues of interest of developing countries.

Reacting to an episode where most of the NGOs, including from India, walked out protesting against inaction of the developed countries in combating climate change and blocking progress in many important areas, environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan said, "Discussions on crucial issues of direct importance to developing countries like Finance, Technology and Loss and Damage have remained deadlocked due to lack of will by developed country Parties".

"This comes in the backdrop of some developed countries actually reneging on their commitments or decreasing them, " she said.

Sharing sentiments of the NGOs, Natarajan appealed to developed countries to "show their determination to implement commitments and increase their ambition to address the mitigation gap and provide enhanced means of implementation and ensure that the negotiations reach a meaningful conclusion in the Conference of Parties (COP)".

Warsaw climate talks .... rich vs. poor debate at COP19 .... wrestling over national interest through rhetoric .... a baby step towards Paris

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India tells rich nations not to treat climate issues for providing market to domestic companies

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 21, 2013, 07.37PM IST 

Enviromental activists march demanding more climate saving actions during the United Nations Climate Change conference in Warsaw. (AFP photo)

WARSAW: Hitting out at developed countries for backtracking on their commitments to fight climate change, India on Thursday used the UN climate talks platform to tell the rich nations not to treat global warming issues with a "business perspective of providing markets to domestic companies".

New Delhi also expressed dismay at decision of some of the rich nations — including Japan, Canada and Australia — to scale down ambition and lowering of targets of emissions.

Articulating country's stand over the entire issue of climate change, Indian environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan appealed the rich nations to take lead in fighting climate change, specifically when nothing concrete has emerged so far from the on-going climate talks.

Incidentally, her remarks came merely an hour before most of the NGOs including from India walked out from the Conference citing the rich nations' failure to deliver on the promises made by them.

"Warsaw (on-going UN conference on climate change) must act ... we must act and deliver here and now", said Natarajan, going a bit beyond her written speech while addressing a gathering of ministers/representatives from 195 countries here at National Stadium.

Though her speech stuck to what has been New Delhi's stated position for long, she chose the platform to raise the controversial issue of climate damaging HFC gases and let the gathering know what India thinks about it and put it out as part of her formal written speech.

In a remark which may not go down well with the US, specifically on HFCs issue, Natarajan said, "The issue should not be seen from a business perspective of providing markets to domestic companies".

Though she did not take names of countries or companies, her remarks articulated the concerns raised back home about reported attempts of US to push the issue of phasing down HFCs merely to benefit couple of American private companies who are manufacturing refrigerants using technology\substitute whose cost is quite higher than existing ones used in India.

Putting across India's stand quite emphatically, Natarajan said, "The issue of HFC has to be addressed by us under this convention (UNFCCC). In the meeting of Montreal Protocol in Bangkok last month, many countries, including some from G20, have opposed amendments to bring it under MP".

She made it clear that the developing countries including India would not move on it without complete clarity on the issue. She said, "Developing countries need clarity on identified substitutes, their costs, safety and economic feasibility.

Full speech of Jayanthi Natarajan at Warsaw Climate talks (PDF file)

The minister reiterated that the developing countries cannot take a "leap of faith without knowing the exact path and the pitfalls. It is time that we had an honest dialogue instead of raising rhetoric" — a remark which may also be seen as India's flexibility if it gets technologically effective and economically viable solution which the New Delhi had stated at other platforms as well in the past.

Montreal Protocol currently deals with phasing out only ozone depleting substances like hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). Though the HFC is not the ozone depleting gas, it contributes to global warming and therefore its phase-out comes under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC which puts the onus of its replacement or phasing down only on rich countries.

The NGOs which walked out from the climate talks include the Climate Action Network South Asia and Global Civil Society movements, expressing frustration over "empty talks". They stated that the talks have so far failed to address climate challenges in developing countries where people are dying due to cyclones like Phailin and Haiyan and flash floods......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTMvMTEvMjIjQXIwMTkwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Warsaw climate talks (COP19) .... economic considerations and national interests dominate Green issue

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India sticks to stand on refrigerant gas

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 21, 2013, 12.38AM IST 

WARSAW: India is not going to dilute its stand over the controversial HFCs, or climate-damaging refrigerant gas, issue and will strongly oppose any move by the US or other developed countries during the ongoing climate talks in view of the domestic concerns. New Delhi is clear that any change in its position will not only affect the common consumers but also several critical sectors, including defence.

Visiting environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan reiterated India's stand, saying, "Any move to shift HFCs to Montreal Protocol from the UNFCCC will call for an amendment".

She also emphasized that the decision would to taken only by consensus under the UNFCCC convention, signaling that any move by handful of rich nations, led by the US, is not acceptable to India.

Her categorical remarks came barely two days after the US special envoy for climate change Todd Stern claimed here that the Montreal Protocol (MP) had jurisdiction over the HFCs.

Using the same platform here on Wednesday, Natarajan told the international press that though HFCs are greenhouse gases; these are not ozone-depleting substances. "Hence, it cannot be dealt with under the Montreal Protocol...HFCs issues must be handled under the UNFCCC," she said.

Montreal Protocol deals with phasing out only ozone-depleting substances like hydro-chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). Though the HFC is not an ozone-depleting gas, it contributes to global warming and consequently its phase-out comes under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC that remains the sole prerogative of rich nations.

Natarajan didn't refer to Stern's remarks; she made India's stand abundantly clear by articulating the Cabinet's decision on the matter.

Seeking to clarify the issue, which has long been a bone of contention between developed and developing countries, Stern on Monday had said, "The institution that is born to do this (phase down of refrigerant gases) and has jurisdiction over HFCs is the Montreal Protocol....The MP has built in differentiation (to deal with the issue). It is not the same kind of differentiation like the UNFCCC but it has got differentiation built in."

Dismissing suggestions that the UNFCCC principles should apply (for phasing out the HFCs), the US envoy said, "Let's just get some results".

New Delhi, however, didn't buy this argument and pitched for a status quo so that the issue can be addressed only under the Kyoto Protocol of UNFCCC, which accepts the principles of common but differentiated responsibility (CBDR), asking only rich nations to respond to phasing out greenhouse gases.

The minister said, "In view of the lack of safe, technologically viable and economically feasible alternatives, the issue of HFCs needs further examination and status-quo should be maintained for the present".

Though Natarajan preferred not to get into what Stern had said, her delegation members later questioned the US envoy's argument.

A negotiator said, "Had the US convinced of this argument of jurisdiction, it would not have proposed an amendment to bring the HFCs matter under the Montreal Protocol during meeting of parties in Bangkok in October".

He asked, "If the US thinks that the MP has jurisdiction over HFCs, why did it move an amendment?"

As many as 19 countries, including India and some G-20 nations, had vehemently opposed the America's move to deal the matter under the Montreal Protocol.

Sources, however, said that New Delhi was not all that rigid over the issue and it would first like to see the outcome of the Indo-US bilateral (joint taskforce) over the matter.

New Delhi would like to see whether its domestic industries — using refrigerant gas — are ready to move to alternatives that have low global warming potential. It will also have to weigh the stand of other BASIC (group of Brazil, South Africa, India and China) nations under their respective bilateral discussions with the US and European Union (EU) nations........................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTMvMTEvMTkjQXIwMTUwMQ==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom 

Warsaw climate talks (COP19) .... a heady mix of politics and economy through diplomatic intervention .... a baby step towards Paris

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BASIC nations present united front against rich countries during climate talks

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 20, 2013, 11.28PM IST 

WARSAW: Amid sign of disappointment among developing and poor nations, the BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) Group on Wednesday presented a united front against the rich nations, asking them to fulfil their commitments in terms of finance and their respective targets to cut emissions.

Be it matters concerning setting up loss and damage (L&D) mechanism or the issue of the Green Climate Fund, all the four countries held a common view and alleged that the developed nations have backtracked on what they had promised earlier. The BASIC nations also supported the move of the G-77+China over the L&D and stand by the Group's walkout from the contact group meeting on loss and damage issue early this morning.

"We hear allegations from the other side. Let me make very clear we came here to talk. We came here to negotiate. We came here to a successful cooperation for the negotiation. We did not come here to start a blame game. We want to move ahead. Our position is very clear. We need a science-based agreement," Brazil's lead climate diplomat Ambassador Jose Marcondes de Carvalho told a press conference at the venue of UN Climate Change Conference here.

The joint press conference was also attended by Indian environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan who articulated New Delhi's position and enlisted what her country has voluntarily been doing to fight the menace of climate change.

None of the participating ministers of the BASIC nations during the joint press conference and even their meetings earlier deviated from their joint stand over all issues -- in a show of strength and solidarity which may push the developed countries to re-work their strategy in the remaining two days of talks if they want to show that the climate talks have not at all failed completely.

Warsaw climate talks (COP19) .... show of strength by G77+China ..... a baby step towards Paris

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Developing nations' bloc walk out over lack of commitment to climate fund

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 20, 2013, 09.09PM IST 

WARSAW: In a rare show of strength against rich nations, the G77+China Group, comprising almost all developing countries, walked out of the negotiations on crucial Loss and Damage (L&D) issue early Wednesday morning. The move sent a strong message that poor nations are not going to give an elbow space to the US-led group unless they get commitment over financial aid.

Though the Indian representative was not there in the contact group meeting where the discussion on L&D was held through the night at the National Stadium here, New Delhi accepted the decision taken by the G77+China Group. The walkout has happened for the first time during the ongoing climate talks.

"We totally agree with the G-77 position. This is a very weak draft (on loss and damage) and we totally support the walkout. It is extremely diluted and makes no commitment to the loss and damage. This is not something that we can accept. We are part of the G-77," Indian environment and forest minister Jayanthi Natarajan said when asked about the move.

L&D is a mechanism - coined by developing countries during previous climate conference - where poorest and most vulnerable nations want financial assistance on the premise that they had to suffer losses due to the damage caused by high emissions of greenhouse gases by rich countries during industrialization.

It also refers to their demand that they must be paid for the damage that will occur to life and property from the level of emissions already up there in the atmosphere and that cannot be prevented even by mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Besides the US, Australia and Canada have been adamant against setting up a separate mechanism and came out with a diluted draft during the contact group meeting.

The European Union (EU) showed some liberal approach but it also wanted the mechanism for L&D should not be finalized at least in the Warsaw conference of parties (COP19) on climate change issues.

Stating her country's position over L&D, Natarajan said, "In the context of vulnerability of the developing countries and small island states, India has advocated a special focus on loss and damage and mechanism to address it. It should be guided by an assessment of vulnerability of various countries".

As a solution to the existing impasse over the issue, she said, "A separate window can be created under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to address it."

The GCF is meant to mobilize $100 billion annually, beginning 2020, for adaptation and mitigation efforts. The developed countries are yet to come out with any timeline for even the Green Climate Fund, leaving the poor nations quite suspicious of the rich nations' stand.

The walkout came a day after the G77+China had threatened to boycott the negotiations when rich countries stuck to their stand. The move, however, cannot be seen as a complete breakdown over the issue.

It is learnt that developed countries have been discussing the issues among themselves behind the scene so that they can finally come out with something concrete on the matter, specifically when the atmosphere here has been quite surcharged over what had happened due to Typhoon Haiyan that had left thousands of people killed in the Philippines just two days before the beginning of this climate conference.

Head of the Philippines' delegation, Yab Sano, during his inaugural speech on November 11, had left participants from 195 countries stunned when he broke down to tears while putting across his government's point of view referring to Typhoon Haiyan and asked the rich nations to honour their financial commitment.

The formal proposal of the Group, comprising 133 countries, over the L&D says the climate talks under the UNFCCC at Warsaw should agree "that the international mechanism is established to address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change from extreme and slow onset events in developing country parties, especially the least developed countries and small island developing states and other developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change."

Warsaw climate talks (COP19) .... a baby step towards Paris .... MNCs on sidelines of this mega event

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UN bodies explore private-public partnership to find climate change solution

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 19, 2013, 05.14PM IST 

WARSAW: Sensing that the government alone cannot bring climate change solution, the UN climate bodies on Tuesday launched a first of its kind platform where chief executives of big MNCs will join top government officials to share solutions, commitments and plans towards climate action at green talks which may end up as a robust deal in Paris in 2015.

India is also one of the participants at the inaugural Caring for Climate Business Forum where it is being represented by Tata Cleantech Capital.

Though this attempt is seen as a step to involve private sector in co-creation of climate change solutions, profile of participating companies -- including the Dow Chemicals -- will sure to raise an eyebrow in developing world including India.

Dow currently owns Union Carbide, the company responsible for the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy. Although Dow did not have any ownership in Union Carbide until 16 years after the Bhopal tragedy, its presence at any such forum always creates flutters all around in India.

The Forum is a joint initiative of the United Nations Global Compact, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat and UN Environment Programme. All Caring For Climate signatories, including companies participating in the forum, are first and foremost required to be signatories of the UN Global Compact.
It is expected that the CEOs of the participating companies will during their two-day meet showcase to diplomats, policymakers and world leaders the contributions that business and investors are making towards climate action.

Seriousness of such effort may be known later as, at present, this move is being debated whether it is merely an instrument of rich nations led by US to emphasize on market-based mechanism to deal with climate change which has been responsible for number of natural disasters across the globe.

"COP (Conference of Parties) 19 is a pivotal moment to both step up and showcase climate action," said Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of UNFCCC.

"Businesses must be heard, leveraged and invited to develop scalable climate change solutions to drive climate action. This can create the political space for more ambition in the UN climate process, which as part of a virtuous cycle can in turn catalyze more business action,"" she said.

The UNFCCC claimed that the Forum will showcase some of the most innovative commitments and solutions for climate change from businesses, including plans by Ikea to use 100% renewable energy by 2020, and a new global framework by Dow to mitigate the footprint of large-scale events and help to produce the first carbon neutral Olympic Games.

It may be noted that the Dow's participation as one of the sponsors of London Olympics last year was resisted vehemently by India. New Delhi had even wanted that the company be dropped as sponsor of the London Games because of its links to the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.

The International Olympic Committee had, however, rejected Indian demand, arguing that the Dow Chemicals neither owned or operated the plant at the time of the Bhopal gas leak disaster.

The two-day Business Forum will conclude here with a report-back segment and a formal announcement of new commitments to action.......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTMvMTEvMjAjQXIwMTYwNA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

Warsaw climate talks .... a baby step towards Paris .... pitch for money ..... coffer is still empty

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Negotiators pinning hopes on rich nations’ bounty at climate talks

Vishwa Mohan,TNN | Nov 18, 2013, 08.33PM IST 

A Greenpeace activist protests on Monday in front of the Polish economy ministry headquarters building against the World Coal Summit and the 19th conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP19) in Warsaw. (Reuters Photo)

WARSAW: Though the ongoing climate talks has failed to bring cheer to developing countries as rich nations have, so far, not made any commitment to set aside a corpus to battle global warming, hope springs eternal for the negotiators.

They are expecting that the high-level ministerial round may throw up a pleasant surprise, where developed countries would finally pledge a sum —$20-$30 billion annually — for assisting poor nations towards their adaptation and mitigation efforts. Ministers from various countries start arriving here from Wednesday.

The United States' stand to link assistance to market-based mechanism, where it wants private players must play a key role without depending on public funding, continues to dominate the space, but inclination of other developed countries — largely from Europe — to provide aid is fuelling the hope.

Indian negotiators got a hint that some of the developed countries may try to impress upon the US so that the talks would not send a negative signal before the crucial climate pact that is slated to be finalized in Paris in 2015. "There have been discussions on enhanced action in the field of adaptation, mitigation, finance and technology transfer during structured dialogue. But in terms of action, we have not seen much coming further. We have not seen much movement on the implementations of the earlier decisions," said an Indian negotiator here.

He rued that though the participants gathered here to work on implementing the Kyoto Protocol, there is no timeline on this.

There is a growing belief that the developed nations may not be inclined towards a breakdown of talks.

The pledge for $100 billion per annum beginning 2020 — meant for reduction of future emissions by developing countries — has caused heartburns among the rich nations who want a market-based mechanism that advocates private players to take the lead without government's direct role.

Participants from developing countries, however, believe that the instead of settling for $100 billion annual fund, developed countries like the UK, France, Canada, Japan and Germany may commit $20-$30 billion for the next couple of years.

"There has to be some kind of roadmap for that... So we are looking for all these decisions when the ministerial rounds start," said the Indian negotiator.

He said developing countries would also like to be clear about how private investment work. "Is it some decision which private companies take on the basis of their own calculation, or on their own metrics of profits? How does it come to play and when does it come to play? What would be the size, what would happen if markets turn choppy? There is no clarity on private investment," he added.

Articulating developing countries' skepticism towards market-based mechanism, the official asked, "Is it just a diversionary tactics to put the discussion away from public funding?"

According to the principles of convention, it is public funding which has to address the climate change.

Addressing a press conference, the executive-secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Christiana Figueres, however, said, "This is not a pledging moment for the Green Climate Fund."

"Let's wait for the ministerial round to begin. We hope that the rich nations won't derail the process which will have adverse impact on the final climate deal which is to come up in Paris," said the negotiator.

The hope and despair come at a time when G77+China group is learnt to have threatened to walk out of the Warsaw negotiations if the developed countries did not stop blocking the key issue of loss and damage where the rich nations have to provide financial assistance to poor countries for the losses caused to them by the emissions from rich nations during the industrialization phase.

The Group has submitted a collective proposal on the negotiating table to set up a separate new mechanism of loss and damage. But, the US has blocked it.

Reacting over this contentious issue, the Indian negotiator said, "We have not been able to see any mechanism being put in place, which was decided during the last climate conference in 2012."

He added, "We (developing countries) have said that even if you don't create a new structure, create a window under Green Climate Fund for loss and damage"......................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTMvMTEvMTkjQXIwMTUwMA==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom