CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ROLE OF PATENT ACT, 1970
Author – Bilal A. Nazeer, Research Officer, Inter University Centre for IPR Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Best Citation – Bilal A. Nazeer, CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ROLE OF PATENT ACT, 1970, INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL RESEARCH JOURNAL, 1 (1) of 2023, Pg. 84-87, ISBN (P) – 978-81-960702-1-2.
ABSTRACT
Climate change is an unfortunate reality and its effects are visible, not just from the Science fiction Hollywood movies, but in real life. Change in monsoon months, unprecedented floods, increase in the frequency of heat waves and cold waves, global warming are some of its visible examples. The International community has recognized the importance of addressing the issue and Paris Agreement adopted by the Conference of Parties in 2015 was a positive step towards it[1]. India, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement and a country with rich and vulnerable biodiversity and ecosystem, has a great stake in controlling climate change. North East India, which is one among the most ecologically fragile regions of India are already under the threat of climate change. The mean temperature of the North East region has increased by 0.8-degree Celsius in winter and 1.09 degree Celsius during monsoons[2]. This has led to the increase in drought as well as floods in the region thereby resulting in the loss of lives and livelihood of the people and the scientific studies have already projected that the frequency of droughts and floods are likely to increase in the future[3]. Patent Act, 1970, even if it is not a statute addressing environmental issues has a role to play in this age of technology. This paper analyses the provisions in the Patent Act, 1970 that could have an impact in fighting climate change.
[1] Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Dec. 12, 2015, T.I.A.S. No. 16-1104
[2] Roy, Aniruddha & Kolady, D. & Paudel, Bindu & Yumnam, Anjoo & Mridha, Nilimesh & Chakraborty, Debasish & Singh, Nongmaithem. (2021). Recent trends and impacts of climate change in North-Eastern region of India-A review. Journal of Environmental Biology. 42. 1415-1424. 10.22438/jeb/42/6/MRN-170
[3] Id. at p 1421.