***India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)***

India at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, expressed to intensify its climate action by presenting to the world five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action.

·     India now stands committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030, from 2005 level and achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.The existing target was a 33% - 35% reduction.

·   The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, at COP 26, proposed a ‘One-Word Movement’, to the global community. This one word is LIFE…L, I, F, E, i.e. Lifestyle For Environment. The vision of LIFE is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it. India’s updated NDC also captures this citizen centric approach to combat climate change.

·   At least 50% of installed electricity generation capacity in 2030 would be based on non-fossil fuel-based sources.This is an increase from the existing 40% target.

Other NDCs:

·   Cutting absolute emissions by one billion tonnes, presumably from projected business-as-usual (BAU) 2030 levels.

·   Increase non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW (gigawatts) by 2030

·  The update is also a step towards achieving India’s long term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070.

India’s updated NDC will be implemented over the period 2021-2030 through programs and schemes of relevant Ministries /departments and with due support from States and Union Territories.The Net Zero target by 2030 by Indian Railways alone will lead to a reduction of emissions by 60 million tonnes annually. Similarly, India’s massive LED bulb campaign is reducing emissions by 40 million tonnes annually.

Test Yourself:

Q11. The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of (Prelims 2016)

a)    pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East

b)  plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change

c)     capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

d)    plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals

Answer: b

Q12. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (Prelims 2016)

1.  The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017.

2.  The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2°C or even 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

3.   Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

      a)   1 and 3 only

      b)   2 only

      c)    2 and 3 only 

      d)   1, 2 and 3

Answer: b

Q13. “Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a :

a)   Database created by coalition of research organisations

b)   Wing of “International Panel of Climate Change”

c)   Committee under “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”

d)   Agency promoted and financed by United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank

Answer: a

Q14. In the context of India’s preparation for Climate -Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (Prelims 2021)

1.  The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.

2.  The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural (CGIAR) headquartered in France.

3.  The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

      a)   1 and 2 only

      b)   2 and 3 only

      c)    1 and 3 only 

      d)   1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

MAINS

Q1. Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (2021)

Q2. ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (2017)

Q3. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021)