China, South Asia region more vulnerable to climate change: Rajendra Pachauri

Chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Rajendra Pachauri today highlighted the adverse impact of the climate change in the South Asia region and said that the subcontinent along with China is more vulnerable to its ill effects.

New Delhi, Oct 15 : Chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Rajendra Pachauri today highlighted the adverse impact of the climate change in the South Asia region and said that the subcontinent along with China is more vulnerable to its ill effects.

"We in this region are particularly vulnerable because the snows and the glaciers of the Himalayas are melting at an alarming rate. This certainly has major implications for countries of South Asia but it also has implications for China," Pachauri said at a seminar in the national capital.

"Our assessment is that something like 500 million people will be affected on this subcontinent and 250 million people in China. Now this is a massive impact that we have to prepare ourselves for," he added.

The chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with former US Vice President Al Gore, said that it was imperative for the countries to take note of the massive impact of global warming.

He was speaking at the conference on "Climate Change and Sustainable Development: A global perspective" organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

The objective of the conference was to increase awareness and understandingf climate change issues and the local options for mitigation and adaptation.

Countries worldwide are engrossed in the controversy leading to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, a main contributor for global warming.

The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment report says the Arctic will lose 50-60 per cent of its ice distribution by 2100. In fact, one model predicts that the North Pole in summer will be completely ice-free by 2070.

Sun Yuxi, Chinese Ambassador to India, took the occasion to outline his country's strategy to curb impact of global warming.

"We have set target for reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20 per cent and discharge of main pollutants by 10 per cent by the end of 2005 and 2010 (respectively)," said Yuxi.

Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde was among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

ANI