Developing countries unanimously reject LCA text

The second week of the Doha talks opened amid high drama as developing countries unanimously rejected the “draft text” prepared by the chairperson of the ad-hoc working group on long-term cooperative action (AWG-LCA). Such a draft text details the areas of convergence and divergence on all issues that are to be taken up for further deliberations by Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

'We cannot sell the idea of equity back home,' says US negotiator

The US made it clear it is not on the same page on equity as the developing nations.

Global food crisis: causes and implications for India

  Africa

Climate change conference- World leaders fail to act again

Little headway was made at the un climate change conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 6 to 17, 2006. The most important issue, mandating commitments to cutting carbon emissions, was stonewalled, with the us refusing to budge from its stated positions, as expected, and the European Union pushing for emission cuts across the board.

World Trade Outcry

The first day of a multilateral conference involving most of the world's nations is usually spent on procedural matters. So it was at Cancun, Mexico, where the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held from September 11 to September 14, 2003. After the usual ceremonial inauguration, work began on forming working groups.

The anatomy of congestion

Fig leaf for the business world

India is obliged under the Montreal Protocol to gradually stop the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which cause unimaginable damage by burning a hole in the Earth's stratospheric ozone layer. The industrialised countries have already phased out some of these substances. The first deadline for India and other developing nations comes on January 1, 2010, when these countries are expected to entirely stop using CFCs.

Rescued or doomed

"I hear no objections, it is so decided," Jan Pronk, president of the meeting, said in obvious relief as he brought down the gavel at the resumed session of the sixth conference of parties to the climate change convention.

Untapped Potential

Global agribusiness Organic products are beginning to make a dent in world food market

Maharashtra proposes green cess on old vehicles

Maharashtra’s transport department has proposed an annual tax of Rs 5,000 on all commercial and private vehicles that are 15 years old or more. The money generated would be used for implementing air pollution control measures. The tax is also expected to check use of old polluting vehicles. “The plan is at the proposal stage and needs cabinet approval,” said state transport minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. Dubbed green tax, it would first be introduced in polluted cities like Mumbai.  Vintage cars would be exempt from the tax.