In News:

• India recently submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  • NDCs are the climate action targets to the Paris Agreement.
• As per the submitted NDC, India will have approximately 50% of its total installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

What’s in today’s article:

• India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions
• News Summary 

Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs):

Background:

• Countries have agreed to publicly outline their INDCs for post-2020 climate action to meet Paris Agreement targets, as agreed at the end of the 2015 UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris.
• INDCs/NDCs are the voluntary targets of countries under the Paris Agreement to collectively reach the goal of keeping global warming far below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, when compared to pre-industry (1850-1900) levels.

India’s first pledge:

• India’s first pledge had 3 primary targets -
• 
• According to the Paris Agreement, countries must 'update' their pledges every five years to make larger commitments to reduce GHG emissions.

Revised INDC:

• India at the COP26 to the UNFCCC held in Glasgow, UK in 2021, expressed to intensify its climate action by presenting to the world 5-set of new targets (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action. 
• 

India’s 8 Goals: India recently submitted its updated NDC. These are -

1. To put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation through a mass movement for ‘LIFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment).
2. To adopt a more climate friendly path than others at corresponding levels of economic development.
3. To reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, from 2005 level.
4. To achieve about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
   1. This will be achieved with the help of transfer of technology and low-cost international finance including from Green Climate Fund (GCF).
5. To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
6. To better adapt to climate change by enhancing investments in development programmes in sectors vulnerable to climate change (agriculture, water resources, Himalayan region, coastal regions, health and disaster management).
7. In light of the resource gap, to mobilize domestic as well as new and additional funds from developed nations to implement the aforementioned mitigation and adaptation initiatives.
8. To build a domestic framework and an international architecture for the rapid spread of cutting-edge climate technology in India, as well as cooperative collaborative R&D for such future technologies.

News Summary:

• The country’s submission has a total eight goals which include three updates. Remaining five targets, which India submitted as its first NDC in 2015, remained unchanged.
• This update to India’s existing NDC translates the ‘Panchamrit’ announced at COP26 into enhanced climate targets, after carefully considering national circumstances and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
• India’s NDC does not commit it to any sector-specific mitigation requirement or action.
• According to India's submission, the country's goal of obtaining 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy will be conditional on international support.
• The condition serves as a reminder to rich countries of their commitment to provide $100 billion per year by 2020 to assist developing countries in transitioning to a low-carbon growth path.
  • Rich countries have yet to donate the pledged sum to the GCF, which is intended to assist underdeveloped countries.