India, China must show climate stewardship

India and China are emerging giants. They are the only two countries in the world that have their GDP growing at more than seven per cent amidst a global financial crisis. The vexing challenges both countries face today are strikingly similar. The irreversible and pervasive degradation of their ecosystems is eroding the very foundation of their growth stories. Life-threatening air pollution, unmanageable waste generation, and insecurities relating to food, water and energy are the manifestation of the accelerated degradation of the ecosystems. Intertwined with these national concerns is the global issue of climate change that goes beyond the geographical borders.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO) 2012 Global Burden of Disease Study, in India, every year, nearly 1.5 to 2 million people die from indoor and outdoor air pollution. Figures in China could be similar or even more. As per WHO, New Delhi is the most polluted city in the world. Semi-permanent smog in most of China's large cities has prompted Premier Li Keqiang to declare 'war' against the malaise.

Joint India-China projects to deal with air pollution could be one of the major parts of the Xi-Modi summit. Indeed, the countries that have capability to master the skies by sending missions to Mars and the Moon certainly have collective capacities to deal with air pollution.Reducing HFCs, used extensively in room and car air-conditioning, and enhancing energy efficiency of air conditioning will bring early relief from the disastrous consequences of the climate change.

India and China have not yet officially submitted their INDCs (Intended Nationally Decided Contributions) to the United Nations climate secretariat, based on which the Paris agreement would have to be built. India has earlier declared its contribution through reduction in energy intensity whereas China recently declared the year in which it will peak its GHG emissions. Xi and Modi have the timely opportunity to demonstrate climate stewardship through effective and similar approaches for the GHG reductions. Such collaborative approaches would also directly help in reducing air pollution by reducing the use of fossil fuel.

By Rajendra Shende