- During the Conference of the Parties (COP21) held in Paris in December 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), countries worldwide pledged to establish a new global climate agreement.
- In preparation for this agreement, nations committed to publicly disclosing their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), outlining the climate activities they plan to undertake beyond 2020.
- The success of the 2015 agreement’s ambitious objectives and the world’s trajectory towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future will largely hinge on the effectiveness of these INDCs.
- India has also submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
INDC- SALIENT FEATURES
- Promotion of Sustainable Lifestyle:
- Objective: Foster a sustainable, healthy way of life grounded in the customs and principles of moderation and conservation.
- Environmentally Friendly Development:
- Objective: Embrace a cleaner and more environmentally friendly development path compared to counterparts at a similar stage of economic development.
- Emission Intensity Reduction:
- Objective: Achieve a significant reduction in the emissions intensity of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 33 to 35% from 2005 levels by the year 2030.
- Non-fossil Fuel Energy Capacity:
- Objective: Attain a cumulative installed capacity of non-fossil fuel-based energy resources, constituting approximately 40% by 2030. This goal relies on technology transfer and affordable international financing, including support from the Green Climate Fund.
- Forest and Tree Cover Enhancement:
- Objective: Increase the extent of forest and tree cover by 2030, contributing to the sequestration of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent as a carbon sink.
- Investments in Climate-Sensitive Development:
- Objective: Enhance investments in climate change-sensitive development programs, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, water resources, the Himalayan region, coastal areas, health, and disaster management.
- Resource Mobilization:
- Objective: Secure funding from developed nations, both domestically and internationally, to implement mitigation and adaptation measures. This includes addressing resource gaps and meeting the financial requirements for the outlined initiatives.
- International Cooperation for Research and Development:
- Objective: Establish the necessary frameworks, international architecture, and capabilities for joint and cooperative Research and Development (R&D) of future technologies related to climate change.
Key Elements and Focus Areas of India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC):
- Sustainable Lifestyles:
- Objective: Promote a balanced and sustainable way of life based on the customs and principles of moderation and conservation.
- Cleaner Economic Development:
- Objective: Choose a more environmentally friendly and sustainable path compared to similar economic development levels in the past.
- Reduction in Emission Intensity of GDP:
- Objective: Achieve a reduction in the emissions intensity of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 33 to 35% from the 2005 level by 2030.
- Increased Share of Non-Fossil Fuel-Based Electricity:
- Objective: Attain around 40% of the total installed capacity of electric power from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 with the assistance of technology transfer and low-cost foreign financing, including support from the Green Climate Fund.
- Enhancement of Carbon Sink (Forests):
- Objective: Increase the amount of forest and tree cover by 2030, adding 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent as a carbon sink.
- Adaptation:
- Objective: Improve investments in climate change-sensitive development programs, particularly in agriculture, water resources, the Himalayan area, coastal regions, health, and disaster management.
- Mobilizing Finance:
- Objective: Raise local funding and secure additional resources from developed nations to implement mitigation and adaptation measures, considering the available resources and addressing the resource gap.
- Technology Transfer and Capacity Building:
- Objective: Establish the necessary frameworks, international architecture, and capacities for joint and cooperative Research and Development (R&D) of future technologies related to climate change.
HOW’S INDIA’S INDC DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
Distinguishing Features of India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) in Comparison to Other Countries:
- Emphasis on Adaptation:
- India’s Approach: India’s INDC places significant emphasis on adapting to climate change impacts.
- Noteworthy Actions: Four out of the eight missions under India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change focus on adaptation, covering sustainable agriculture, water use efficiency improvement, Himalayan ecology preservation, and the development of sustainable habitats.
- Holistic Adaptation Efforts:
- India’s Approach: India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change integrates various sectors for a holistic approach to adaptation.
- Comparison: Few other nations have dedicated as much attention and effort specifically to adaptation measures as India has.
- Technology Transfer Facilitation:
- India’s Approach: India’s INDC outlines its strategy for creating and facilitating technology transfers to support the achievement of climate change goals.
- Comparison: While other countries may also address technology transfer, India provides a detailed description of its approach within the context of its INDC.
- Financial Implications Disclosure:
- India’s Approach: India goes beyond outlining actions and also discusses the financial consequences associated with its climate change goals in its INDC.
- Comparison: Many countries may focus on actions and targets without explicitly detailing the financial implications of their climate change commitments.
India’s INDC stands out for its dedicated focus on adaptation, integration of multiple sectors, explicit approach to technology transfer, and disclosure of financial considerations, making it distinctive compared to the climate commitments of other nations.
India’s Approach to Climate Change Adaptation:
- Cultural Emphasis on Adaptation:
- Indian Culture: India’s strategy for addressing climate change is deeply rooted in its cultural values, where nature holds significant importance.
- Environmental Awareness: Indian traditions reflect a profound awareness of the environment, fostering a culture of coexistence with nature.
- Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Population and Economic Considerations: Considering its large population and economic growth, India recognizes lifestyle adjustments as a crucial element in its climate change strategy.
- Integration with Climate Goals: Lifestyle adjustments are strategically integrated into India’s broader approach to combatting climate change.
- Widespread Adoption of Adaptation Strategies:
- National and State Initiatives: India is among the nations widely implementing adaptation strategies for climate change.
- State-Level Engagement: All of India’s 29 states and 7 union territories have submitted individual State Action Plans on Climate Change as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
- Focus on Adaptation in State Action Plans:
- Mission Concentration: In its NAPCC, India places a notable focus on adaptation by dedicating four out of its eight missions to adaptation measures.
- State-Level Participation: State-specific plans contribute to the comprehensive national effort toward climate change adaptation.
- Governmental Programs for Resilience:
- Agriculture Initiatives: India is implementing governmental programs to bolster climate-resilient agriculture, effective irrigation systems, watershed management, and organic farming.
- National Adaptation Fund: India has established the National Adaptation Fund with a corpus of 350 crore rupees (US$ 55.6 million) to financially support these climate-resilient initiatives.
INDC CHALLENGES
- Several nations perceive the constrained timeframe for generating the INDC as a hindrance.
- Inadequate technological expertise.
- A dearth of guidance and transparency regarding the inclusions and exclusions in the INDC.
- Insufficient international support for the development of INDCs.
FAQs – INTENDED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS (INDCs)
1. What are Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs)?
A: INDCs are pledges made by countries to publicly disclose their climate-related activities beyond 2020. These contributions, outlined during the Conference of the Parties (COP21) in 2015, are crucial in achieving global climate goals.
2. When were INDCs introduced, and why are they significant?
A: INDCs were introduced during COP21 in Paris in December 2015. They are significant as they represent each country’s commitment to addressing climate change by detailing specific actions, targets, and plans.
3. How does India contribute to INDCs?
A: India has submitted its INDC to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It outlines the nation’s strategies, targets, and plans to combat climate change, emphasizing sustainable practices, cleaner development, and emission reduction.
4. What are the salient features of India’s INDCs?
A: India’s INDCs focus on promoting sustainable lifestyles, cleaner economic development, reducing emission intensity, increasing non-fossil fuel energy capacity, enhancing carbon sink through forests, adapting to climate change, mobilizing finance, and facilitating technology transfer and capacity building.
5. How does India differ from other countries in its approach to INDCs?
A: India stands out due to its significant emphasis on adaptation, with four out of eight missions dedicated to holistic adaptation efforts. Additionally, India outlines its approach to technology transfer and discloses the financial implications associated with its climate goals.
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