In INDC, India pledges to curb greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35 per cent
New Delhi: Ahead of the climate change summit in Paris later this year, India has pledged to curb its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35 per cent from the 2005 level.
In its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) tonight, India announced that it aims at achieving around 40 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
In the 38-page document, India said that it would need, as per preliminary estimates, around USD 206 billion between 2015 and 2030 for implementing adaptation actions in agriculture, forestry, fisheries infrastructure, water resources and ecosystems.
Noting that mitigation requirements are even more enormous for the country, India referred to an estimate given by NITI Aayog saying that the mitigation activities for moderate low carbon development would cost around USD 834 billion till 2030.
"Keeping in view its development agenda, particularly the eradication of poverty coupled with its commitment to following the low carbon path to progress and being sanguine about the unencumbered availability of clean technologies and financial resource from around the world, India hereby communicates its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) in response to COP decisions... for the period 2021 to 2030: 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 percent by 2030 from 2005 level; To achieve about 40 percent 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 (GCF)," the document, uploaded on the UNFCC website late tonight, said.
"To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030," it said.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar is scheduled to announce the action plan to fight adverse effects of climate change tomorrow, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Each of the 192 countries were expected to submit their INDCs ahead of a climate change conference in Paris where the nations hope to finalise a global pact to curb greenhouse gas emissions sufficiently to prevent temperatures from rising beyond 2 degrees C during this century.
The Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris, scheduled from November 30 to December 11 this year, will for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations.
Environmental groups welcomed India's pledge. US-based major think-tank Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) described it as a strong commitment to climate change.
"India's strong climate plan offers a comprehensive approach to curb the worst impacts of climate change. Its commitment to renewable energy will pave the way to sustainable economic growth that creates jobs, protects natural resources, and provides cleaner air and water for Indian citizens," said NRDC president Rhea Suh said.
"India now has positioned itself as a global leader in clean energy, and is poised to play an active and influential role in the international climate negotiations this December," Suh said.
Anjali Jaiswal, Director of the India Initiative for the Natural Resources Defence Council, said India's ambitious climate target makes clean energy the centrepiece for major economic growth.
"Government leaders are taking strong action to align domestic policy with broader climate targets, as seen through the recent dramatic increase in India's solar energy goals to reach a solar capacity of 100 GW by 2022.”
"Robust financing is also critical to acquire clean technologies and accelerate solar, wind and energy efficiency markets to curb India's greenhouse gas emissions and fight global warming," she said.
Jaiswal said the Indian government is also extending efforts beyond mitigation to climate adaptation and resilience. "These significant actions will protect communities from the gravest dangers of climate change," she said.
