Fossil fuels are driving India’s extreme heat, says UN climate chief
text_fields
The ongoing extreme heat across large parts of India is primarily being driven by worsening climate change caused by the large-scale burning of coal, oil, and gas, UN climate chief Simon Stiell said on Wednesday.
Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said the heatwave was having a severe human and economic impact, especially on people without access to cooling facilities and those working outdoors for long hours.
“These extremes drive home the importance of measures to adapt to climate impacts, globally,” he said in a statement.
His remarks came as the India Meteorological Department said heatwave to severe heatwave conditions were likely to continue over central and northwest India for the next two to three days.
The prolonged high temperatures have also pushed electricity demand to record levels across the country. Peak power demand reached 257.3 gigawatts on May 18, 260.4 GW on May 19, 265 GW on May 20, and a record 270.8 GW on May 21.
Stiell said solar and other renewable energy sources had helped India manage rising daytime electricity demand.
“India has also seen record-breaking peak electricity demand in recent days. Solar and other renewable energy sources have helped in meeting day-time peaks, and India's strong steps to ramp up solar power have been a benefit,” he said.
He added that the heatwave underscored the importance of clean energy and energy-efficiency measures to provide affordable cooling and secure electricity for homes, businesses, healthcare services, and electric transport.
Stiell also said the extreme weather was creating a double burden on lives and livelihoods amid rising fossil fuel costs and increasing prices of imported energy due to conflict in West Asia.
