India drafts policy to cut carbon emissions from deforestation
by The Daily Eye Team May 6 2014, 12:49 pm Estimated Reading Time: 0 mins, 41 secsIndia, one of the world's largest polluters, has drafted a national policy aimed at reducing its carbon emissions from deforestation as part of a global scheme which financially rewards developing nations for carbon stored through forest preservation. But some environmentalists are skeptical, saying the move is unlikely to yield results as previous compensation schemes have not led to serious cuts in emissions. India has the tenth largest forest coverage in the world. It is also the world's fifth largest carbon emitter, accounting for 5 percent of global greenhouse gases, according to the Indian government. Deforestation and forest degradation - through agricultural expansion, conversion to pastureland, infrastructure development, logging and fires - account for nearly 20 percent of emissions, says the United Nations. This is more than transportation sector and second only to the energy sector.