- The Union Government formulated the National Action Plan On Climate Change to mitigate and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
- Its primary objectives are to raise awareness about climate change threats and mitigation efforts among various stakeholders including community members, government representatives, scientists, and business leaders.
- At the core of the NAPCC are eight “National Missions,” which serve as comprehensive, long-term strategies for achieving key climate change goals.
- These missions encompass initiatives like the National Solar Mission, The National Mission For Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Mission On Sustainable Habitat, National Water Mission, and others.
SALIENT FEATURES
- Inclusive Development: The NAPCC prioritizes the protection of underprivileged and vulnerable communities through inclusive and sustainable development strategies that consider the impacts of climate change.
- Ecological Sustainability: It emphasizes qualitative changes in national growth to improve ecological sustainability, thereby promoting environmental conservation and resilience.
- Technology Deployment: The plan advocates for the rapid and extensive deployment of suitable technology for both adapting to climate change impacts and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Market Innovation: The NAPCC supports mechanisms for voluntary cooperation and regulation to stimulate market innovation and promote sustainable development practices.
- Public-Private Partnerships: It emphasizes effective plan implementation through collaborative efforts involving local governments, civic society, and public-private partnerships, ensuring broad engagement and participation.
- Global Cooperation: The NAPCC encourages global cooperation in intellectual property rights (IPR) regulation and provides appropriate funding for research, development, exchange, and transfer of data and technologies under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This fosters international collaboration in addressing climate change challenges.
EIGHT MISSIONS UNDER THIS
NATIONAL SOLAR MISSION
- The National Solar Mission, also referred to as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), is a collaborative initiative between the Central and State Governments of India aimed at advancing solar power development in the country.
- As one of the eight climate missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) mitigation strategy, the National Solar Mission was launched in January 2010 and has undergone two revisions since its inception.
- With a current target of achieving 100 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity by 2022, the mission seeks to establish a robust policy framework to facilitate the widespread deployment of solar energy technologies.
- Through its ambitious goals, the National Solar Mission aims to position India as a global leader in the field of solar energy.
NATIONAL MISSION FOR ENHANCED ENERGY EFFICIENCY
- The National Mission For Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) aims to stimulate the energy efficiency market by implementing supportive legislation and policies.
- Additionally, it endeavors to promote innovative and eco-friendly business models within the energy efficiency sector.
- The Indian government initiated this mission to foster the development of advanced market mechanisms and regulations to propel the energy efficiency market forward.
- The foundation for this mission was laid upon the Energy Conservation Act of 2001, which addresses various aspects related to efficient energy use, conservation, and associated challenges.
NATIONAL MISSION ON SUSTAINABLE HABITAT
- The National Mission On Sustainable Habitat, initiated in 2010 and overseen by the Ministry of Urban Development, aims to enhance the sustainability of cities.
- It focuses on various aspects such as improving building energy efficiency, enhancing solid and liquid waste management, promoting the use of public transportation, and fostering conservation through appropriate adjustments to the legal and regulatory framework.
- Implemented through the Ministry of Urban Development’s four flagship missions/programs, the Mission on Sustainable Habitat does not have a dedicated funding allocation and is not actively seeking one at present.
The four flagship missions include:
- Atal Mission on Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
- Swachh Bharat Mission
- Smart Cities Mission
- Urban Transport Program
NATIONAL WATER MISSION
- The National Water Mission (NWM) aims to ensure the conservation of water, prevent wastage, and ensure equitable distribution of water resources both among and within states through integrated water resource development and management.
- Aligned with the requirements of the National Water Policy, the mission seeks to enhance water use efficiency by 20% through regulatory mechanisms, entitlements, and pricing strategies.
- The National Water Mission document comprises two volumes.
- The first volume outlines the financial requirements, research and development needs, monitoring mechanisms, and the composition of various committees essential for the successful implementation of the mission.
- The second volume of the mission document focuses on the reports generated by six distinct subcommittees, providing detailed insights into their findings and recommendations.
NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE HIMALAYAN ECOSYSTEM
- The National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), initiated in 2010, falls under the purview of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- It stands out as the sole mission dedicated to a specific geographical area among the eight National Missions under the NAPCC.
- The primary objective of NMSHE is to establish a sustainable national capacity for regular monitoring of the Himalayan Ecosystem’s health. It aims to provide support to policy-making bodies and assist the states in the Indian Himalayan Region in implementing sustainable development initiatives.
The Himalayan states and Union Territories covered under the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem include:
- Himachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- Sikkim
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Nagaland
- Manipur
- Mizoram
- Tripura
- Meghalaya
- Assam
- West Bengal
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Ladakh
NATIONAL MISSION FOR GREEN INDIA
- The National Mission for a Green India, also referred to as the National Green India Mission (GIM), was introduced under the National Climate Change Action Plan (NAPCC).
- Its primary objective is to address climate change concerns by preserving, revitalizing, and enhancing India’s forest cover.
- Through a blend of adaptation and mitigation strategies, the Green India Mission aims to safeguard, rejuvenate, and enrich India’s diminishing forest resources.
- It emphasizes the importance of both protecting existing forests and initiating efforts to restore and augment forest cover across the country.
- Distinct from other missions outlined in the NAPCC, the Green India Mission features a one-year preparatory phase designed to lay the groundwork for its implementation.
- This phase aims to establish the necessary infrastructure and mechanisms essential for the successful execution of the mission’s objectives.
NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
- The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is among the eight missions launched by the Prime Minister under the National Climate Change Action Plan (NAPCC).
- Recognizing the significant role of agricultural practices in mitigating the impacts of climate change, NMSA aims to enhance agricultural productivity, particularly in rainfed regions.
- The core objective of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is to promote sustainable agricultural practices through integrated farming approaches, efficient water management, soil health enhancement, and resource conservation initiatives.
NMSA encompasses four key program components or activities:
- Rainfed Area Development: Focusing on the development of rainfed agricultural areas to improve productivity and resilience to climate variability.
- On Farm Water Management: Emphasizing the efficient utilization of water resources through the adoption of modern irrigation techniques and water-saving practices.
- Soil Health Management: Promoting soil health enhancement measures such as organic farming, soil testing, and balanced fertilizer use to sustain soil fertility and productivity.
- Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Monitoring, Modeling, and Networking: Undertaking monitoring and modeling activities to assess the impact of climate change on agriculture and fostering networking among stakeholders for knowledge exchange and capacity building in sustainable agricultural practices.
NATIONAL MISSION ON STRATEGIC KNOWLEDGE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
- The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC) was established with the primary aim of fostering a robust network among existing knowledge institutions.
- This network is envisioned to facilitate capacity building and enhance understanding of critical climate processes and hazards.
- The mission’s overarching objective is to develop a dynamic and robust knowledge ecosystem that informs national policies and actions, effectively addressing climate change challenges while aligning with the country’s developmental goals.
Key Objectives:
- Establishment of Knowledge Networks: Facilitating the creation of knowledge networks among climate science research and development institutions to foster collaboration, data sharing, and exchange. This will be facilitated through an appropriate institutional framework.
- Formation of International Technology Monitoring Organizations: Establishing international technology monitoring organizations equipped with institutional resources to conduct studies on technology selection for risk reduction and development.
- Enhancement of the Country’s Simulation Capacity: Strengthening the nation’s capacity to simulate the regional impacts of climate change across various ecological zones and seasons, considering different living conditions. This will enable better understanding and preparedness for climate change effects.
NATIONAL BIO ENERGY MISSION
- The National Bio-Energy Mission, sanctioned by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy in 2017, aims to advance various initiatives in the realm of bio-energy.
- This mission is poised to spearhead the development of a bio-energy city project, foster heightened energy efficiency within conventional biomass-utilizing sectors, and extend logistical assistance to biomass processing facilities.
- Bioenergy, a pivotal component of renewable energy, derives from organic substances with biological origins. It encompasses energy generated from biomass, comprising materials such as bagasse, cotton stalks, coconut wood, and various other plant-derived resources.
CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH NAPCC
- Absence of Carbon Emission Reduction Pledge: The plan report lacks a commitment to reduce the nation’s carbon emissions, a critical aspect that should have been central to its objectives.
- Overemphasis on Solar Energy: The government’s heavy focus on maximizing solar energy output seems to overshadow other important aspects of the NAPCC’s objectives, potentially limiting its effectiveness.
- Uneven Priority Allocation: The allocation of priority and resources across different missions appears to be uneven, hindering the potential for swift and tangible outcomes across all sectors.
- Slow Progress of Cross-Cutting Missions: Missions related to sustainable habitat, water management, agriculture, and forestry face challenges due to their advisory, multi-departmental, and multi-sectoral nature, resulting in sluggish progress.
- Practical Constraints: Several ongoing projects that theoretically align with the missions’ goals need to be integrated or discontinued to optimize time and financial resources.
- Inadequate Monitoring Systems: The lack of effective monitoring systems poses a significant challenge to evaluating the progress and impact of the missions, hindering accountability and decision-making.
- Limited Progress Tracking: While progress reports exist for some missions like NSM, NMEEE, and NWM, tracking the progress of other missions is challenging due to their interdisciplinary nature, making it difficult to assess overall effectiveness.
FAQs about the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC):
1-What is the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), and why was it formulated?
A: The NAPCC is a comprehensive strategy developed by the Union Government to address the challenges posed by climate change and its impacts. It aims to mitigate climate change effects and prepare for future changes by implementing various initiatives across different sectors.
2-What are the primary objectives of the NAPCC?
A: The key objectives include raising awareness about climate change threats, promoting sustainable development, and implementing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience.
3-What are the core components of the NAPCC?
A: The NAPCC consists of eight “National Missions,” each focusing on specific areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water management, biodiversity conservation, and climate knowledge enhancement.
4-Can you provide examples of some National Missions under the NAPCC?
A: Yes, some examples include the National Solar Mission, National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, National Water Mission, and others.
5-How does the NAPCC address inclusive development?
A: The NAPCC prioritizes inclusive and sustainable development strategies to protect underprivileged and vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change.
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