The recent global climate change treaty, also known as the Copenhagen accord, was signed on Dec 18th 2009. Delegates from 193 countries and numerous NGO’s convened in the 15th conference of parties (COP) and more than 100 heads of states participated during the final days of the conference. Under prevailing chaos and confusion, the accord was signed by Brazil, South Africa, India, china (BASIC countries) along with United States outside the UNFCCC process. Amidst expectations of a separate negotiating text being brought out by the host country, this accord came as a shock to the rest of the participating countries. The Copenhagen Accord (CA) in many ways turned out to be a lip service to the futures of countries impacted by climate change. Most of the vulnerable countries were disillusioned by the process and lack of political will amongst countries to come to an agreement. There is growing anxiousness in the global civil society about the future of climate negotiations post Copenhagen and the actions taken by major emitters of the world. This article is aimed towards how the current momentum on issues of climate change within India can be maintained through careful planning, engagement of the business, industry and participation of youth as members of civil society for future sustainable prosperity.

Watering down the CA (reducing the ambitious mitigation targets) and making it legally non-binding, coupled with the global economic meltdown only suggests that there is less than required pressure on the major Green house Gas (GHG) emitting countries to aggressively reduce their emissions.