Syllabus:
GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Context: India is likely to release an updated climate action plan during, or just ahead of, the COP30 climate meeting in Brazil.
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• This submission will mark India’s third update to its climate action strategy under the 2015 Paris Agreement framework, extending targets to the year 2035.
India’s Climate Commitments So Far
| Aspect | First NDC (2015) | Second/Updated NDC (2022) |
| Emission Intensity Reduction | 33-35% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP from 2005 levels by 2030 | 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP from 2005 levels by 2030 (upward revision) |
| Non-Fossil Fuel Energy Share | At least 40% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 | At least 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 (upward revision) |
| Carbon Sink Target | Creation of additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent through forest/tree cover by 2030 | Same target continued (no change) |
| Approach | Climate-friendly development path, focusing on conservation & moderation (“LIFE” – Lifestyle for Environment not explicit) | Emphasizes sustainable lifestyle changes, mass movement for “LIFE” (Lifestyle for Environment) as a key to combating climate change |
| Focus on Climate Justice | Implicit | Explicit, includes protecting poor and vulnerable from climate impacts |
| Alignment with Long-term Goal | Not explicitly stated | NDC translated from ‘Panchamrit’ announced at COP26, steps towards net-zero emissions by 2070 |
Achievements:
• India’s latest emission intensity data is from 2020, by which year it had already achieved a 36% reduction compared to the 2005 baseline.
• India announced that the share of non-fossil fuels, like solar, wind and nuclear, in its total electricity generation installed capacity had gone beyond 50%.
• The 2023 State of the Forest Report revealed that by 2021, India’s forests and trees had increased their carbon stock by approximately 2.29 billion tonnes above 2005 levels.
Paris Agreement
• The Paris Agreement was adopted in December 2015 by 196 nations at COP21 and is a legally binding treaty aimed at combating climate change.
• Its main objective is to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels, by achieving global net-zero emissions by mid-century.
• Under this agreement, countries must submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years, each progressively more ambitious than the last, detailing their plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
• The first NDCs were submitted in 2015, updated around 2020, and the third round is due by the end of 2025.
• The agreement also provides a framework for climate finance, adaptation, and progress reporting, and it entered into force in November 2016.