The previous chapter provided broad outlines in mitigating global climate change. The major attempts are in collaborating with international agencies, formulating basic science policies, building capacity for adaptation, and so on. The sector-wise issues, which are of utmost importance in the context of our national policies, are discussed in this chapter. Management of energy sources and the efficient use of energy is discussed in Section 8.1. Sustainable forest management and suitable measures in agriculture are discussed in sections 8.2 and 8.3, respectively. Coastal zone management, conservation of water, bio diversity, and land use and land cover changes are critically examined in Sections 8.4 to 8.7.

Energy Use and Management

Among the most important anthropogenic causes is energy use, which is dominated by fossil fuels worldwide, particularly in Asia. The electric power production industry and transport are the sectors contributing substantially to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission. With 15 per cent of the world's population, India's energy consumption is only 3 per cent of the global total. Nevertheless, India's development plans emphasize on energy conservation and the measures taken up for efficient utilization of energy. Some important steps have been taken with respect to the production, distribution, and use of energy. Coal is the single most important source of energy in India. Hence, the Government of India (GOI) recognizes the need for minimizing environmental problems arising from the production and use of coal. A more efficient use of coal is being encouraged through legislative, financial, managerial, and technological interventions.