Conference on the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C - Significance, Challenges and Implications

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, GoI, and The Energy and Resources Institute

IPCC SR 1.5° C: Significance, Challenges and Implications

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is in the final stages of approving its Special Report on the 'impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty.' The Special Report (SR) is being prepared by the IPCC following a decision of Parties to the UNFCCC and is likely to be a major input for future policy decisions on global climate change. This report will be released by the IPCC on 8th October 2018 in Incheon, Republic of Korea.

Considering the significance of the Report and its implications for international and national strategies for addressing climate change, particularly in developing countries, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, and The Energy and Resources Institute are co-hosting a Conference in New Delhi on Monday 15th October 2018 at the India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi to understand and analyse the importance of the Special Report for developing countries including India.

2°C or 1.5°C have similar pathways, only the speed and scale may not be the same. While there is no simple answer to the feasibility of 1.5°C, it is certain that it will require rapid and far reaching transitions at the global as well as at the national levels. These include transitions that would have to occur in the next couple of decades in energy, land, urban and industrial systems. In addition, demand side measures, behavioural changes and emissions reductions in the short term hold great potential towards a 1.5 consistent response.

While there are enough signals that transitions in India are underway, the question is the extent to which they must be technically, politically, socially and economically stretched in order to be 1.5 consistent? Will the expected transitions be feasible and how will they affect the process and goal of sustainable development? Do the pathways indicated in SR 1.5 suggest any substantial changes in the nature and content of the strategies currently adopted? Which trends must be in place at the national level and which barriers need to be removed for these accelerated transitions to happen in the energy, urban and industrial, among others, sectors?

In three panel sessions, the Conference on SR1.5 will discuss (i) key findings on impacts (ii) global transitions required for 1.5 consistent pathways and their viability at the national level and (iii) implications for sustainable development and eradication of poverty with perspectives from India (agenda attached). It will bring together stakeholders from government, scientific & research institutions, think tanks, and from the industry, buildings and transport, and power sectors in India.

For registration, please contact Ms Noemie Leprince-Ringuet, noemie.leprinceringuet@teri.res.in.

Please note, venue has been changed to Silver oak, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi