Net Zero Emissions refers to achieving an overall balance between the greenhouse gas emissions produced and the emissions removed from the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is a country’s binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris Agreement, an international treaty within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Paris Agreement aims to limit the rise in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement also focuses on increasing countries’ ability to adapt to climate change’s adverse impacts and channel financial flows toward low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient developments.
India’s Greening Initiatives in Coal Sector
The Ministry of Coal in India has launched an initiative aimed at enhancing the green cover in and around coalfields by bringing over 2400 hectares of area under green cover. The goal is to plant more than 50 lakh saplings in the year 2022-23. The areas for plantation include reclaimed mined out areas of coal companies and areas outside of leasehold, made available by State Government agencies.
To date, about 1000 hectares of land have been covered through various forms of plantation, such as block plantation, avenue plantation, grassland creation, bamboo plantation, and high-tech cultivation. Such greening initiatives not only minimize the impact of coal mining on the environment but also contribute to India’s NDC commitment.
Revised NDCs: Strengthening India’s Commitment to Climate Action
India recently revised its NDCs, intensifying its commitments to combating climate change. The country now commits to reducing the emissions intensity of GDP by at least 45% from 2005 levels. It also promises to ensure that at least 50% of the installed electricity generation capacity in 2030 would be based on non-fossil fuel-based sources. Other commitments include increasing non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030, reducing total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030, and achieving net zero carbon by 2070.
India’s Climate Change Initiatives: An Overview
India has taken significant steps toward addressing climate change, particularly in the transport sector. The country is fast-tracking its e-mobility transition through the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles Scheme. This move is complemented by a voluntary vehicle scrapping policy to phase out old and unfit vehicles.
India is one of the few countries that support the global EV30@30 campaign, which aims for at least 30% new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. India’s advocacy for the five elements for climate change “Panchamrit” at the UNFCCC COP26 in Glasgow further reaffirms its commitment to addressing climate change.
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, a government scheme, has already enabled 88 million households to switch from coal-based cooking fuels to LPG connections.
Role of Industries in Low-Carbon Transition and Energy Efficiency Measures
Both public and private sectors in India have been instrumental in tackling the climate challenge, fueled by growing customer and investor awareness and heightened regulatory and disclosure requirements. Moreover, the Hydrogen Energy Mission focuses on generating hydrogen from green power resources.
The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme is also noteworthy. It is a market-based mechanism designed to accelerate and incentivize energy efficiency in large energy-intensive industries.
The Paris Agreement: A Recap and Relevant Issues
The Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015 at COP21 in Paris, France, is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. Its goal is to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
Developed countries have acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to jointly mobilize USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries. The Agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016, after being ratified, accepted, approved, or acceded to by at least 55 Parties to the Convention, accounting for an estimated 55% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions.