India’s Five-Year Climate Agenda is a plan designed to tackle climate change and its impact on the country over the next five years. This agenda outlines specific goals and actions that India will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable practices, and protect its natural resources. The plan includes measures like increasing the use of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing forest conservation. By implementing this agenda, India aims to create a cleaner, healthier environment for its citizens and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.
Tags: GS-3, Ecology & Environment — Conservation– Shape Of India’s Climate Agenda
Context:
- The new government’s actions on climate change will significantly impact every ministry and sector as it settles in.
- Over the next four to five years, the new government has the chance to elevate India’s global climate leadership.
- Decisions made now will shape India’s economic path toward sustainability, position it as a leader for the Global South, and determine its fight for climate finance and justice over the next five years.
An Overview of India’s Climate Transformation: A Decade of Progress and Leadership
- Establishing Global Institutions:
- International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- Launched in 2015, the ISA aims to promote solar energy utilisation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- By bringing together solar-rich countries, India has facilitated collaboration on solar energy projects, research, and policy development.
- This initiative highlights India’s leadership in promoting renewable energy and addressing energy security concerns.
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
- Established in 2019, the CDRI focuses on building resilient infrastructure to withstand the impacts of climate change.
- This initiative underscores the importance of preparedness and adaptation, particularly in the face of increasing climate-related disasters.
- By fostering international cooperation, India is helping to build a more resilient global infrastructure landscape.
- Global Biofuels Alliance
- This alliance aims to promote the use of biofuels as a sustainable energy source.
- By advocating for biofuel adoption, India addresses both energy security and environmental sustainability, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and promoting cleaner alternatives.
- Green Development Pact
- During its G-20 presidency, India championed the Green Development Pact, emphasising sustainable and inclusive growth.
- This pact underscores India’s commitment to integrating sustainability into global economic policies and fostering international cooperation on climate action.
- International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- Setting Ambitious Targets:
- 2070 Net-Zero Target
- India’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 is a landmark commitment.
- This target signifies a long-term vision for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
- By setting this goal, India aligns itself with global efforts to limit temperature rise and mitigate climate change impacts.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- India’s NDCs under the Paris Agreement outline its plans for reducing emissions and enhancing climate resilience.
- These contributions include targets for increasing renewable energy capacity, improving energy efficiency, and reducing emissions intensity.
- India’s ambitious NDCs reflect its proactive stance on climate action and its commitment to achieving measurable progress.
- 2070 Net-Zero Target
- Integrating Sustainability into Domestic Economic Policies:
- Indian Emissions Carbon Trading Scheme:
- Establishing a carbon trading scheme represents a significant step towards market-based mechanisms for reducing emissions.
- This scheme allows for the trading of carbon credits, incentivising businesses to adopt cleaner technologies and reduce their carbon footprint.
- Designed to operate for several decades, this institution is a cornerstone of India’s long-term climate strategy.
- Renewable Energy Expansion:
- India has made remarkable progress in expanding its renewable energy capacity, particularly in solar and wind energy.
- Government policies and initiatives, such as the National Solar Mission, have facilitated large-scale deployment of renewable energy projects.
- This shift towards renewables reduces emissions, enhances energy security, and provides economic opportunities.
- Sustainable Development Initiatives:
- India has launched various initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development, including efforts to enhance energy efficiency, promote green transportation, and support sustainable agriculture.
- These initiatives align with global sustainability goals and contribute to India’s broader climate objectives.
- Indian Emissions Carbon Trading Scheme:
The Impact of India’s Climate Transformation:
- Enhanced Global Leadership:
- By establishing global institutions and setting ambitious targets, India has positioned itself as a leader in the global climate discourse.
- This leadership role enables India to influence international climate policies and advocate for the needs and priorities of developing countries.
- Economic and Social Benefits:
- Integrating sustainability into economic policies has yielded numerous benefits for India.
- The expansion of renewable energy has created jobs, improved energy access, and reduced energy costs.
- Sustainable development initiatives have enhanced resilience, reduced environmental degradation, and improved quality of life for communities.
- Climate Resilience and Adaptation:
- India’s focus on disaster-resilient infrastructure and climate adaptation measures has strengthened its capacity to withstand climate impacts.
- This resilience is crucial for protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring sustainable development in the face of climate change.
A Five-Year Climate Plan Sheet for India:
- Go Higher: India’s Global Leadership
- India’s leadership on the global stage should be enhanced.
- Hosting major international climate summits, such as the United Nations Conference of Parties in 2028, would solidify its status.
- To achieve this, India must start building consensus on key issues like halting new investments in oil and gas by 2030 and securing adaptation finance for developing countries.
- This requires proactive diplomacy and forming strategic alliances.
- Additionally, India should continue advocating for equity in international forums and positioning itself as a leader in securing climate finance.
- Go Wider: Sectoral Emission Reduction Targets
- India needs to broaden its emission reduction targets beyond the power sector.
- Significant progress has been made in the power sector, but other sectors, such as private mobility, need clear zero-carbon goals.
- Expanding these targets will benefit not just urban areas but also rural India, driving job creation in clean energy and sustainability, and promoting economic growth.
- Credible policy goals have previously spurred industries into action, and the upcoming NDC for 2035 presents an opportunity to set broader energy transition targets.
- Go Deeper: Sub-National Climate Action
- Sub-national climate action and resilience must be prioritised. Initiatives like those by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), which supports state-level net-zero plans, are crucial.
- Collaborations with states such as Tamil Nadu and Bihar on their net-zero transition plans are positive steps.
- To enhance this, a Centre-State coordination group should be established, incentivizing state-level climate actions through mechanisms like the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
- Integrating scientific modelling capabilities into policymaking and creating a unified data measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) architecture are essential for coordinated and effective state-level actions.
Conclusion
Hence, the new government has the chance to enhance India’s global climate leadership. Over the next four to five years, India should leverage its international position to showcase its climate action. By aiming higher, wider, and deeper, India can secure a sustainable economic future and solidify its role as a global climate leader.
| UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) Prelims Q:1 With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (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 greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2ºC or even 1.5ºC 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 Ans: B Q:2 In the context of India’s preparation for Climate -Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (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 Agriculture (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 Q:1 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) Q:2 Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the 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) |
Source: TH
FAQs
Q: What is the Five-Year Climate Agenda for India?
Answer: The Five-Year Climate Agenda for India is a plan outlining the country’s goals and actions to address climate change over the next five years. It includes strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy use, and improve resilience to climate impacts.
Q: Why does India need a Five-Year Climate Agenda?
Answer: India needs a Five-Year Climate Agenda to combat climate change, which is causing extreme weather events, affecting agriculture, and threatening water resources. This plan helps ensure that India takes consistent and effective steps to protect the environment and its people.
Q: What are the main goals of India’s Five-Year Climate Agenda?
Answer: The main goals include:
- Reducing carbon emissions
- Increasing the use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind
- Enhancing energy efficiency in industries and homes
- Promoting sustainable agriculture
- Improving infrastructure to withstand climate impacts
Q: How will India achieve these goals?
Answer: India will achieve these goals by implementing policies and programs that support clean energy, enforcing regulations to limit pollution, investing in green technologies, and encouraging sustainable practices among businesses and communities.
Q: How can ordinary people contribute to the Five-Year Climate Agenda?
Answer: Ordinary people can contribute by adopting eco-friendly habits such as using public transport, reducing energy consumption, recycling, supporting renewable energy, and spreading awareness about climate change. Every small action helps in making a big difference collectively.
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