A complex issue of global concern, dealing with climate change has emerged as the most defining challenge of the present, for the sustainable development of the future. Increasing emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), rising temperature, and the resulting changes in rainfall pattern, melting glaciers, rising sea level, and extreme climatic events are having profound impacts on almost every aspect of life on earth-water, food, human settlements, health, and risks of disasters-requiring a multidimensional approach for mitigation and adaptation at all levels and in all sectors. While scientific assessments of climate risks have made tremendous advances in the recent years, there is hardly any progress in mitigating the emissions of GHGs and adapting to the impacts of climate change, as agreed in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of 1992.Table of Contents: List of Tables, Figures, Boxes, and Maps Foreword by R.K. Pachauri List of Abbreviations Part-I Introduction 1. Sustainable Development 2. Climate Change 3. Climate Change and Sustainable Development 4. Assessing Progress Part-II Climate Risks 5. Warming Globe 6. Uncertain Rains 7. Melting Ice 8. Rising Sea 9. Extreme Climatic Events Part-III Climate Mitigation 10. Green House Gas Emission 11. Energy Supply and Consumption 12. Forestry 13. Renewable Energy Part-IV Climate Adaptation 14. National Action Plan 15. Water Security 16. Food Security 17. Health Risk Resilience 18. Urban Risk Resilience 19. Disaster Risk Resilience Part-V Conclusion 20. Ranking Countries References Methodology Note Technical Notes on GSDR Indicators Appendix About the Editor and Contributors