National Action Plan for Climate Change ( NAPCC )
In order to respond effectively to the challenges of Climate Change, the Government of India formulated National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC), under the guidance of Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Climate change. One of the guiding principles of NAPCC is for protecting the poor and vulnerable sections of society, through an inclusive and sustainable development strategy, sensitive to Climate Change.
Transportation Sector
As per NAPCC document, the estimates of the Planning Commission indicate an energy saving potential of 115 mtoe (million tones of oil equivalent) in the year 2031/32, by increasing the share of Railways and improving efficiencies of different modes of Transport. TERI estimates, indicate an energy saving of 144 mtoe in 2031, by including efficiency improvement across modes, as well as considering enhanced use of Public Transport and Rail-based movement, use of bio-diesel, as compared to business-as-usual trends. The corresponding CO2 emissions reduction is estimated at 433 million tones in 2031.
It is also stated that the Policy and Technology measures, can lead to significant energy and thereby emission savings in the transportation Sector and some of the measures suggested are:
a) Promoting the use of Coastal Shipping & Inland Waterways, apart from encouraging attractiveness of Rail-based movement, relative to long distance Road-based movement
b) Establishing mechanisms to promote investments in development of high-capacity (Rail-based) public transport systems (equity participation etc)
c) Appropriate Transport Pricing, Taxes & Charges are expected to influence travel demand, choice of Transportation mode and, the purchase & use of vehicles, in respect of fuel choice & efficiency, thereby decreasing fuel demand and GHG emissions
Aviation Sector-Climate Change- Rogue Sector
The NAPCC does not talk of Aviation, even though it is reported to be a "Rogue Sector" and its environmental impact is out of control. The CO2 emissions from international aviation contributing to "Global Warming", are reported to have gone up considerably, from 1990 to 2002 and it is projected that emissions will be more than doubled by 2025. In terms of damage to the climate, Flying is 10 times worse than taking the Train. It is estimated that Air-Travel releases 75% more CO2 per passenger, mile for mile, than driving an economy sized car.
The aviation sector is responsible for 13 per cent of the UK's impact on the climate and it is the fastest growing source of emissions in the UK and the predictions are that aviation will contribute between 25% to 50% by 2050. The main cause of this massive growth of emissions in the UK, is the proliferation of Short-Haul Routes - often unnecessary domestic ones.
Adverse Impact of Government Aviation Policy
The Climate Change is the most urgent challenge facing the humanity and the Aviation Policy of the Central & State Governments, is doing the opposite of what is required, by catering to insatiable demands of Aviation Sector, by way of more Airports, Runways, Terminals. etc. in the name of economic development.
The subsidies and liberal concessions offered to Aviation Sector by taxpayers' money, disproportionately favours the economically better off, as those of lower incomes fly infrequently. This goes against the very guiding principle of NAPCC, for protecting the poor and vulnerable sections of society, through an inclusive and sustainable development strategy, sensitive to Climate Change.
AP State Proposal for Airports in District Headquarters
It is gathered from the press reports that AP Government has plans to establish new Airports at about eight locations-namely Nellore, Ongole, Tadepallygudem, Kurnool, Kadapa, Warangal, Nizamabad and Ramagundam adding massive growth of emissions by proliferation of Short-Haul Routes, which are considered unnecessary and not sensitive to Climate Change. .
The existing five Airports at Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Tirupati, can be developed adequately, to cater for aviation requirements of other towns by inter linking them to the nearest Airport, through energy efficient, fast and high capacity Rail-based / Road-based Transport systems.
Alternatives to Aviation
It is of utmost importance and urgency to curtail emissions by restricting the capacity of aviation sector- short-haul routs in particular- without hampering the economic development. Some of the suggestions for consideration are:
a) Wider access to and the use of electronic communication devices such as interactive videoconferencing can be made more attractive to obviate expensive business air travel and restricting its use.
b) As the Railway Network in AP State did not get its due, during the last six decades, the augmentation of existing network by strengthening & modernization, the addition of newlines interlinking district headquarters etc, should get higher priority than Airports, which need thousands of acres of land and higher capital investments, that too catering for upper strata of the society. This obviates proliferation of CO2 intensive Short-Haul Air Routes.
c) To opt for fast and attractive Inter-City Rail Transport, much more energy efficient than Road or Air transport, apart from being comparatively Cheaper & Safer. For example, the Inter-City fast passenger trains connecting Kurnool and Warangal to Hyderabad, Kadapa & Nellore to Tirupati, and Tadepallygudem to Rajahmundry etc are better options, than airports at these places.
In the light of the position explained above, it is requested the proposal to set up airports in the district headquarters of AP state be held in abeyance & reviewed.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment