The wealthiest one percent produce double the carbon emissions of the poorest 50 percent

Environment: The world’s wealthiest one percent of the population produces double the combined carbon emissions of the poorest 50 percent, according to a report by the UK-based Cambridge Sustainability Commission on Scaling Behaviour Change.

Between 1990 and 2015 the wealthiest five percent contributed 37 percent of emissions growth, with the top one percent contributing the most by far. The authors of the report have called on the ‘polluter elite’ to radically change their lifestyle to reduce carbon emissions

The Commission consists of a panel of 31 individuals who study people’s behaviour in relation to the environment. It was tasked to find the most effective way of scaling up action to tackle the problem of carbon emissions. The report is the latest in a long-running dialogue over what it means to be ‘fair’ while tackling climate change.

While critics argue that the best way to cut emissions faster is through technological improvements, Prof Peter Newell, from Sussex University, the lead author of the report, says that more drastic action is needed to address the issue. “We have got to cut over-consumption and the best place to start is over-consumption among the polluting elites who contribute by far more than their share of carbon emissions.”

According to a study by the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, the top 20 percent of high expenditure households in India generate nearly seven times the carbon emissions compared to low-expenditure households.

India’s percentage of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during 2016-19 was higher than the world average of 0.7 percent, even though it rose slower than in 2011-15, according to an analysis published in Nature Climate Change.

Read this article on how we can strengthen action on climate change mitigation.

Fundraising & Communications: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a circular extending the validity of FCRA registration certificates to September 30th, 2021. This applies to all FCRA licences that have expired or will expire between September 29th, 2020 and May 31st, 2021. The decision to extend the deadline has been driven by the exigencies arising from the COVID-19 situation.

FCRA refers to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010, which permits charitable organisations based in India to raise funds from foreign sources.

The order also clarified that nonprofits that have already opened an account and have the requisite permission to receive foreign aid, can henceforth receive it only in these newly-opened accounts.

The FCRA law was amended in September 2020 to include a clause that mandated that all nonprofits receiving foreign aid must necessarily open an account in State Bank of India’s New Delhi Main Branch. The government had initially set the deadline for this account opening as March 31st, 2021; it later extended it to June 30th, 2021 after several nonprofits argued in court that there had been delays because necessary approvals from MHA had not been received.

Several organisations have not been able to receive foreign funds during the crisis caused by the second wave, and this has impacted their COVID-19 relief efforts. Relaxing the foreign funding rules could significantly help organisations ramp up their operations to help individuals, supply critical healthcare equipment, and respond to communities in rural areas.

Read this article to know how amending the FCRA can have unforeseen implications.

Philanthropy & CSR: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has issued a circular that allows corporate spending on health infrastructure for COVID-19 care to qualify as corporate social responsibility (CSR) expenditure.

This includes setting up medical oxygen generation and storage plants, manufacturing and supply of oxygen concentrators, ventilators, cylinders, and other medical equipment to counter COVID-19.  

The announcement comes at a time when all efforts are being directed towards expediting efforts to support the country’s healthcare infrastructure.

According to the circular, companies can now undertake projects and activities in collaboration with other companies using CSR funds. Additionally, they can contribute to specified research and development projects, as well as publicly funded universities and certain organisations that conduct research in science, technology, engineering, and medicine.

The government had earlier clarified that setting up makeshift hospitals and temporary COVID-19 care facilities would also be considered a CSR activity. Rajesh Verma, the Corporate Affairs Secretary, has requested businesses to consider converting vacant office buildings into COVID-19 facilities to cater to the rapidly increasing caseload.

Read this article to understand why media attention on COVID-19 deaths due to lack of oxygen in big cities has skewed donor priorities.