The Hindu : Page 07
Syllabus : : GS 3 : Enviroment
The impact of climate change on human health is escalating, with extreme weather events causing severe health and environmental consequences.
- Public interest litigation in India seeks to include climate change considerations in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), advocating for robust legislation to mitigate climate impacts and protect vulnerable populations.
Climate Footprint and Environmental Impact Assessments
- A recent public interest litigation filed in the Madras High Court emphasises the need to include climate change considerations in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for large-scale projects.
- Currently, EIAs do not account for the climate change impacts of construction projects, such as carbon footprints, greenhouse gas emissions, and effects on community health.
- The petitioner argues that the EIA process should evaluate the long-term climate impact from the start of construction through the operational life of a project.
- An Environmental Management Plan should be required to mitigate the climate impacts, and this plan should be reviewed by the government before project clearance is granted.
Judicial and Legislative Developments
- The First Division Bench of the Madras High Court has responded positively to the plea, requesting a government reply within two weeks.
- The case could set a precedent for integrating climate change considerations into environmental regulation.
- Various countries, including the Bahamas, France, Chile, the United States, China, and Australia, have already enacted legislation to address climate change impacts.
- India, which is likely to face severe climate impacts, is encouraged to develop and implement laws to mitigate environmental degradation and preserve gains made in environmental protection.
Global Context and Future Directions
- The case before the Madras High Court reflects a growing global recognition of climate change as a critical issue.
- As climate change increasingly affects human health and environmental stability, comprehensive legal frameworks are necessary to address its effects effectively.
- The integration of climate change components into environmental assessments is seen as a vital step toward more sustainable development practices and better health outcomes.
What is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic process used to evaluate the potential environmental effects of proposed projects or activities before they are implemented.
- Originating in the 1960s and 1970s, EIA aims to predict, assess, and mitigate adverse impacts on natural environments and communities, ensuring informed decision-making and sustainable development.
- EIA Procedure: Screening: Determine if a project requires an EIA based on its size and potential impacts.
- Scoping: Identify key issues and potential impacts to be studied.
- Baseline Data Collection: Gather data on current environmental conditions such as air and water quality.
- Impact Prediction: Assess how the project will affect the environment using the collected data.
- Mitigation Measures: Propose strategies to minimize or avoid adverse impacts.
- Alternatives Assessment: Evaluate different project options to select the least harmful option.
- Public Consultation: Engage stakeholders and communities for their input and concerns.
- Review and Decision-Making: Authorities review the EIA report and decide on project approval, rejection, or conditional approval.
UPSC Mains PYQ : 2018
Ques : ‘‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How will India be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India be affected by climate change?
