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Conference of Parties (COP) of United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at 19th Session held in Warsaw in November 2013 invited all Parties to initiate domestic preparations for their INDC towards achieving the objective of the Convention and to communicate them, well in advance of the 21st session of the Conference of Parties.
The concept of ‘Nationally Determined Contributions’, taking into account the outcomes of both Warsaw COP 19 and Lima COP 20 has to (i) reflect the principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) and (ii) the Country’s contributions must be seen in a balanced and comprehensive context.
India declared a voluntary goal of reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20-25%, over 2005 levels by 2020, despite having no binding mitigation obligations as per the Convention. A slew of policy measures to promote low carbon strategies and Renewable Energy have resulted in the decline of emission intensity of our GDP by 12% between 2005 and 2010. It is a matter of satisfaction that United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in its Emission Gap Report 2014 has recognized India as one of the countries on course to achieving its voluntary goal.
INDC outlines the post-2020 climate actions they intend to take under a new international agreement. The INDC centre around India’s policies and programmes on promotion of clean energy, especially renewable energy, enhancement of energy efficiency, development of less carbon intensive and resilient urban centres, promotion of waste to wealth, safe, smart and sustainable green transportation network, abatement of pollution and India’s efforts to enhance carbon sink through creation of forest and tree cover. It also captures citizens and private sector contribution to combating climate change.
The INDC proposals are on the following:
a. Sustainable Lifestyles
b. Cleaner Economic Development
c. Reduce Emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
d. Increase the Share of Non Fossil Fuel Based Electricity e. Enhancing Carbon Sink (Forests)
f. Adaptation
g. Mobilizing Finance
h. Technology Transfer and Capacity Building
In the INDC, the country has focused on adaptation efforts, including:
a) developing sustainable habitats;
b) optimizing water use efficiency;
c) creating ecologically sustainable climate resilient agricultural production systems;
d) safeguarding the Himalayan glaciers and mountain ecosystem; and,
e) enhancing carbon sinks in sustainably managed forests and implementing adaptation measures for vulnerable species, forest-dependent communities and ecosystems.
India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution: At a Glance
India has submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Some of the salient points of the INDC are:
♤ To put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation.
♤ To adopt a climate-friendly and a cleaner path than the one followed hitherto by others at corresponding level of economic development.
♤ To reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level.
♤ To achieve about 40 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030, with the help of transfer of technology and low cost international finance, including from Green Climate Fund.
♤ To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
♤ To better adapt to climate change by enhancing investments in development programmes in sectors vulnerable to climate change, particularly agriculture, water resources, Himalayan region, coastal regions, health and disaster management.
♤ To mobilize domestic and new and additional funds from developed countries to implement the above mitigation and adaptation actions in view of the resource required and the resource gap.
♤ To build capacities, create domestic framework and international architecture for quick diffusion of cutting edge climate technology in India and for joint collaborative R&D for such future technologies.