As the fifth-largest economy and the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, India plays a crucial role in shaping global climate change initiatives.
National level –
- In 2008, India launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), establishing eight National Missions
Mission | Achievements |
National Solar Mission | Solar power capacity of more than 60 GW is installed |
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency | Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme, which is implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power |
National Mission on Sustainable Habitat | Metro rail network, individual household toilets, community and public toilets, etc |
National Mission for a Green India | More than ₹ 600 crore for afforestation targets over an area of 2.1 lakh ha |
National Water Mission | Jal Shakti Abhiyan |
National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change | Created and strengthened 12 Centres of Excellence for climate change |
National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystems | 8 Major R&D Programmes initiated |
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture | Key targets for FY 2022-2023 covering 0.15 lakh ha under organic farming and 10 lakh ha under micro irrigation |
- National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC), a central sector scheme, was initiated in 2015-16
- AFCC supports adaptation action in agriculture, water, forestry, livestock, and the restoration of ecosystems
- Updated NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions)
- To adopt a climate-friendly and cleaner path
- Healthy and sustainable way of living – mass movement for ‘LIFE’– ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ as a key to combating climate change
- To reduce the Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 per cent by 2030, from the 2005 level
- To achieve about 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030
- To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030
- Enhancing investments in development programmes in sectors vulnerable to climate change, particularly agriculture, water resources, the Himalayan region, coastal regions, and health and disaster management
- To mobilise domestic and new & additional funds from developed countries to implement the mitigation and adaptation
- Cutting-edge climate technology in India and joint collaborative R&D for such future technologies
- Rising share of non-fossil sources in total installed electricity capacity – Approx 40%
- Solar + Wind accounts for 25%
- Increasing forest and tree cover – Schemes like the Green India Mission (GIM), Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), National Afforestation Programme (NAP), Green Highway Policy – 2015, Policy for enhancement of Urban Greens, National Agro-forestry Policy, and Sub-Mission on Agro-forestry (SMAF), etc.
- Regulatory Measures –
- Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
- The Indian Forest Act, 1927
- The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- National Green Hydrogen Mission
- Sovereign Green Bond
- Renewable energy projects have been included under Priority Sector Lending (PSL).
- Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LT -LEDS)
International level –
- “Panchamrit” at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP 26) in Glasgow in November 2021
- International Solar Alliance (ISA) – To unlock US$ 1 trillion of investments in solar by 2030
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (2019) – A global partnership of National Governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and academic and knowledge institutions
- Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) – It was launched by the governments of Sweden and India at the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019 and is supported by the World Economic Forum
These initiatives by India will significantly mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, aligning effectively with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and contributing to global sustainability efforts.
Sol –
Climate adaptation means making changes to deal with the effects of climate change, like extreme weather or rising temperatures. As India strives towards sustainable development, “Green growth is one of the seven priorities (Saptarishi)”, and India is taking strong steps to build climate resilience across sectors like agriculture, water, and urban development.
Major Initiatives and Policy Measures by the Indian Government
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC):
- Launched in 2008 with 8 missions including:
- National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
- National Water Mission: Aims for water conservation and equitable distribution.
- National Mission on Sustainable Habitat: Focuses on urban planning, energy efficiency, and waste management
- Launched in 2008 with 8 missions including:
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
- 25.30 lakh farmers have been mobilised covering almost 15 lakh hectare
- Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)
- Benefiting 2.19 lakh farmers
- National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA):
- Implemented by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), NICRA focuses on
- Developing climate-resilient crop varieties
- Capacity building among farmers for adaptive practices.
- Enhancing soil health and water conservation
- Implemented by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), NICRA focuses on
- MISHTI Program:
- The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)
- Aims to restore 540 sq. km of mangroves across nine coastal states, creating 22.8 million man-days of employment and sequestering 4.5 million tons of CO₂.
- Urban Climate Resilience:
- AMRUT 2.0: Focuses on urban infrastructure development, including stormwater drainage to prevent urban flooding
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):
- Aims to reduce air pollution levels in cities through comprehensive measures.
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan:
- A campaign for water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and rejuvenation of water bodies to enhance water security.
- Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Initiative:
- Launched at COP26, this initiative promotes sustainable lifestyles by encouraging individuals to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
Conclusion:
To achieve its net-zero target by 2070, India needs a massive $1.4 trillion investment. With focused policies, local innovation, and global partnerships, India can turn this challenge into an opportunity.
