It is well documented that changes in Climate Systems are impacting people all across the globe. The latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggest that humanity is on a pathway to global warming of more than double the 1.5°C limit that was agreed upon in Paris, 2015.
However, according to the IPCC, it is still possible to halve emissions by 2030 if governments ramp up action to curb emissions (IPCC, 2022) . Estimates indicate that Global economy can be cut by ~ $23 trillion by 2050 (Swiss Re Institute, 2021) and about 1.2 billion people around the world could be displaced by 2050 (ETR, 2020).
India - the world's 3rd largest GHG emitter (high across the health and food systems), ranked 172 in the environmental health category, however only half per capita.
Climate change contributes to increasing heat-related health effects, vector-borne diseases, malnutrition and related health disorders such as child stunting -the vulnerable most severely affected.Child stunting projected to increase by 35% by 2050 compared to a scenario without climate change.
Climate change related disruption and displacement disproportionately affect the marginalized and the vulnerable.
World food prices are on incline due to growing populations and rising incomes, with greater demand for biofuels now than ever.Without climate change,average rice yields could have been almost 6% higher.
Impact measurement frameworks are inadequate and do not reflect tangible outcomes. Evidence linking climate change to increased vulnerabilities and risks to already vulnerable groups is largely inadequate.
India has made some progress in its climate action, and made some climate action pledges.