Corrupt emissions

One thing I share with our Indian marcher Mahesh is a fear of dogs. Mine comes from having been run over by one as a toddler. Therefore slight trepidation came to both our faces when we were sent off in Kilmarnock to stay in the home of a dog owner. Thankfully our host Mike was as gracious as any host could be, and as well as keeping the dog out of sight, he provide much needed clothes-washing facilities.

On the long march to Glasgow the next morning I spoke to Mahesh about his campaigning in India. He lives in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, the most heavily industrialised state in India. Largely unregulated expansion of factories is producing big health problems for local people through air and water pollution.

But Mahesh tells me of a perverse effect of attempts to tackle climate change. The EU and UK allow companies to avoid reducing their emissions by paying for them to take place elsewhere. Many of these ’reductions’ are being bought from Indian factories. Except there are few checks that real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are taking place. Instead factories take the money, expand their operations and increase both their global and local pollution. Western companies are also able to increase their emissions due to the ‘reductions’ they have bought.

As Mahesh explains the situation in Gujarat, he is filled with righteous anger. “It is unjust that the rich are allowed to emit whilst paying for more pollution for the poor. It is corruption.” Unfortunately this system is set to continue. A little mentioned clause in the UK government’s climate bill is to allow the UK to buy emission ‘reductions’ from developing countries rather than make them ourselves.

Walking distance covered so far: 34 miles
Best sight: Coming off Fenwick moor into Glasgow, with the sun shining and mountains behind the city