UK: CLIMATE CHANGE SET TO AFFECT INDIAN AGRICULTURE, HEALTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE, STUDY REVEALS

he £450,000 study, which looked at the impacts of climate change, found that India was likely to face significant adverse effects in a range of sectors, including agriculture, health, forestry and infrastructure. The study found that temperatures were likely to rise in the next few decades, leading to a reduction in wheat and rice yields in India. While rainfall is predicted to rise in some regions, periods of drought are expected to become longer in others, leading to changes in forestry and vegetation. Researchers found that the incidence of malaria could increase in areas that are already prone to the disease, and the effects of climate change could introduce malaria into new regions. The study also looked at the impacts of climate change on a coastal railway system in southwest India and showed that rising sea levels could cause severe disruption of services. The programme involved eight Indian institutes that are working to assess the impacts of climate change on sea level variability, water resources, forests, agriculture, health, energy, industry and transport infrastructure. Environment Minister Elliot Morley said the programme had enhanced India's understanding of the impacts of climate change across a wide-range of sectors. "I welcome the fact that the project has helped increase close working relations on climate change as well as enhancing the capacity for climate change research in India. The project has contributed to a rise in awareness of the potential consequences of climate change in India and then importance of taking action. "Climate change in India represents an additional stress on a country that is already facing tremendous pressures due to rapid development. With its growing population, India is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Understanding climate change and its consequences is critical to protect lives and assets upon which India's economy is dependent. Awareness of climate change and its impacts on people, the economy and livelihoods will be important to balance economic growth and development with a changing resource base." During the project, Indian scientists spent time working with UK research institutes, such as the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, Exeter. NOTES TO EDITORS: 1 Defra and the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests set up the research programme on the impacts of climate change in India. The programme originated as a response to the Prime Minister's announcement of UK enhanced collaboration with key developing countries, delivered at the UN General Assembly Special Session in 1997. 2 The three-year programme has been managed by ERM (Environmental Resources Management), a UK and India-based environmental consultancy. Final project reports have undergone peer review and are being finalised and will be published shortly. 3 The set of key sheets on the programme released today are available on the Defra website athttp://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/impacts-india/index.htm 4 India has one of the largest developing economies and has been participating in a number of climate change meetings during the UK's G8 Presidency, including the Energy and Environment Ministerial Roundtable in London in March and the G8 Summit at Gleneagles in July.