Special Correspondent NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal has called upon the developed world to take urgent steps to reduce emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases so as to minimise the adverse impact on global climate. Responding to a suggestion from one of the chief scientific advisers of the British government to prepare for a dangerous change that could raise global temperatures by perhaps four degree C, he said the developed world, lagging behind in fulfilling its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, was now talking of setting new targets for achieving mitigations by 2020 or even 2050. There were uncertainties whether the base year for calculating the reduction targets would be moved from 1990 to a later date. "Clearly, therefore, unless something radical is done by the Annexure 1 countries under the Kyoto Protocol [which have commitments for carbon dioxide emission reduction] soon, the scenario for the future is quite grim.' While the levels of emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the western world were mainly on account of their "extravagant lifestyles,' developing countries like India required more energy to enable their people to live with dignity. The need of the hour was for developing and making available to all technological solutions that provided clean and green energy. Technology transfer from the western world to the developing countries must be made easier and affordable, and the solutions designed in such a way that the developing countries could implement them without any problem, Mr. Sibal said. There was also need for developing a financial mechanism that could provide adequate compensation to those who provided the technical solutions. Asked about another suggestion of the British scientist for an "Apollo-type programme' to introduce 10-20 projects for capture and storage of carbon emanating from thermal power stations, Mr. Sibal said the research on this technology was still nascent and could not be possibly deployed in the near future. "Several proven technologies to mitigate carbon dioxide emission are already there with the western world. Considering the gravity of the situation, there is an immense need to bring them on the table and make available to the developing countries at the earliest.' Regional level study He stressed the need for efforts at the global level to study the impact of climate change at a regional level. "The International Panel on Climate Change has only come out with global level projections of possible increases in the temperature. There are no studies at the regional levels, such as the Indian subcontinent. We need to do that. There is need for global level efforts to make such studies.' The Centre, he said, would come out with a road map for implementation of various elements of the recently released National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) by November. The road map would give specific measures to counter global warming and for taking forward the national strategy to cut down the emission of greenhouse gases through efforts like promotion of renewable energy resources and more efficient use of energy. All State governments would be taken on board in the implementation of the road map. Committees of experts have been set up to work out details of each of the eight national missions identified in the NAPCC. They are expected to come out with their preliminary reports by August 15. "We continue to believe that the western world has the primary responsibility to mitigate the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. But, at the same time, India would play its role as a responsible and enlightened member of the international community, ready to make its contribution to the solution of a global challenge that impacts on humanity as a whole.'