ABSTRACT

Preventing dangerous interference with the climate system worldwide, the Copenhagen Accord documents the 2 degrees goal. The UN agrees that deep cuts in global emissions are required to reduce global emissions so as to hold the increase in global temperature below 2°C, and take action ‘to meet this objective consistent with science and on the basis of equity’ (UN 2009: 2). India with its 1.2 billion people represents 17.5 per cent of the world’s population (Census of India 2011: 38) and thus is an important global player in questions of anthropogenic impact on global climate change. India will continue to be severely impacted by climate change issues precisely at a time when it is confronted with huge development imperatives (cp. Government of India 2009: 2).