Cabinet approves India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution to be communicated to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Approval translates Prime Minister
‘Panchamrit’ announced at COP 26 into enhanced climate targets
A step towards achieving India’s long term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070
India now stands committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45
percent by 2030
Prime Minister’s concept of mass movement for ‘LIFE’– ‘Lifestyle for
Environment’ as a key to combating climate change
The Union
Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved India’s
updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to be communicated to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The updated NDC seeks
to enhance India’s contributions towards achievement of the strengthening of
global response to the threat of climate change, as agreed under the Paris
Agreement. Such action will also help India usher in low emissions growth
pathways. It would protect the interests of the country and safeguard its
future development needs based on the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC.
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. This update to India’s existing NDC translates the ‘Panchamrit’ announced
at COP 26 into enhanced climate targets. The update is also a step towards
achieving India’s long term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070.
Earlier, India
submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to UNFCCC on
October 2, 2015. The 2015 NDC comprised eight goals; three of these have
quantitative targets upto 2030 namely, cumulative electric power installed
capacity from non fossil sources to reach 40%; reduce the emissions intensity
of GDP by 33 to 35 percent compared to 2005 levels and creation of additional
carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional
forest and tree cover.
As per the updated
NDC, 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. Today’s approval, also takes forward the Prime Minister’s vision of
sustainable lifestyles and climate justice to protect the poor and vulnerable
from adverse impacts of climate change. The updated NDC reads "To put
forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of living based on
traditions and values of conservation and moderation, including through a mass
movement for ‘LIFE’– ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ as a key to combating climate
change". The decision on enhanced NDCs demonstrates India’s commitment at
the highest level for decoupling of economic growth from greenhouse gas
emissions.
India’s updated NDC
has been prepared after carefully considering our national circumstances and
the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective
capabilities (CBDR-RC). India’s updated NDC also reaffirms our commitment to
work towards a low carbon emission pathway, while simultaneously endeavouring
to achieve sustainable development goals.
Recognizing that
lifestyle has a big role in climate change, 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.
The updated NDC also
represents the framework for India’s transition to cleaner energy for the
period 2021-2030. The updated framework, together with many other initiatives
of the Government, including tax concessions and incentives such as Production
Linked Incentive scheme for promotion of manufacturing and adoption of
renewable energy, will provide an opportunity for enhancing India’s
manufacturing capabilities and enhancing exports. It will lead to an overall
increase in green jobs such as in renewable energy, clean energy industries- in
automotives, manufacturing of low emissions products like Electric Vehicles and
super-efficient appliances, and innovative technologies such as green hydrogen,
etc. 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 Government
has launched many schemes and programs to scale up India’s actions on both
adaptation and mitigation. Appropriate measures are being taken under these
schemes and programs across many sectors, including water, agriculture, forest,
energy and enterprise, sustainable mobility and housing, waste management,
circular economy and resource efficiency, etc. As a result of the aforesaid
measures, India has progressively continued decoupling of economic growth from
greenhouse gas emissions. 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.
India's climate
actions have so far been largely financed from domestic resources. However,
providing new and additional financial resources as well as transfer of technology
to address the global climate change challenge are among the commitments and
responsibilities of the developed countries under UNFCCC and the Paris
Agreement. India will also require its due share from such international
financial resources and technological support.
India’s NDC do not
bind it to any sector specific mitigation obligation or action. India’s goal is
to reduce overall emission intensity and improve energy efficiency of its
economy over time and at the same time protecting the vulnerable sectors of
economy and segments of our society.