What We do

How does WWF-India respond?

The Climate Change and Energy Programme undertakes research, outreach and implementation of project activities that promote the national capacity for adaptation to the potential impacts of Climate Change and a transition towards a low carbon economy. The programme is conducting research on potential impacts on the Himalayan glaciers, assessing the need for an adaptive response in the Sundarbans and working on Demand Side Management with Electricity distribution utility to promote mitigative responses on a large scale. Further the programme is engaging with policy makers, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to develop capacity at national and international platforms for a comprehensive and equitable Post 2012 Framework on climate change policy negotiations.

Impacts and Adaptation
Understanding impacts of Climate Change is extremely crucial. Given the nature of Indian economy, climate change impacts pose a significant threat for agriculture and livelihoods. Impacts management is a bottom-up process that should be carried out with local communities and institutions.

“Mangrove Delta” focuses on the Sunderbans, which is the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem, with four million people living on 48 low-lying islands. Local communities suspect climate change is behind observed rise in sea level, delayed monsoon, lengthy summers, and a dramatic increase in rainfall over the past 15 years. The implications for a region where 65% of people depend upon agriculture are profound. Crop vulnerability to changing weather patterns, increased exposure to pests and salination of freshwater supplies are the key threats. Communities are already responding by adjusting the timing of cropping, changing crop types, increasing rainwater harvesting and building island mud barrages. WWF India programme focuses on Vulnerability Reduction from Extreme Climate Event through local stakeholder participation, People and Mangroves linking the issue of freshwater and climate change, and Climate Witness, documenting stories of the people affected by impacts of climate change.

Climate Change impacts on freshwater availability and spiraling effect on livelihoods and food security is another critical area of work which WWF India is currently focusing. Climate Change Impacts on Freshwater Ecosystems in the Himalayas is a regional programme covering India and Nepal. In India, the programme covers impacts of climate change on melting of the Himalayan Glaciers, where detailed studies are being initiated in the Gangotri and Chota Sigri Glaciers; and High Altitude Wetlands in the Ladakh region. In order to develop the region's resilience to inevitable climate impacts, WWF India is working to co-ordinate a shift from a reactionary response from relevant government agencies to a strategic one based upon future scenarios of climate impacts.

Mitigation
On the other side of the coin, it is clear that there are synergies between reducing future carbon emissions and sustainable economic and social development. India’s power sector, for example, is a key social and development issue as well as an environmental one.

WWF believes that the key to economic, social and environmental sustainability in the power sector depend not upon a technology-based approach but a sector whose framework is built upon good governance. WWF-India is working on an Energy Efficiency/Demand Side Management Programme in partnership with an energy utility in Delhi. People’s Power Campaign is a collaborative programme, where WWF-India and North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL) are working with domestic and industrial consumers towards building a greener and energy efficient tomorrow.

Policy
Policy component of the Climate Change and Energy Programme in WWF India focuses on developing the capacities of national stakeholders on climate change to facilitate a better understanding for domestic and international policy negotiations. WWF India has recently initiated a new project called Supporting National Assessments of Post-2012 Proposals for Climate Protection and Sustainable Development (SNAPP) with a focus on developing national capacities for post 2012 negotiations.

Business and Industry engagement and developing their understanding for voluntary disclosure of carbon emission and identification of key areas for energy efficiency and emissions reduction is a crucial focal area of WWF India. Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is a WWF India’s initiative in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industries Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CII CESD) and Carbon Disclosure Project. CDP Report for India will be launched in November 2007.