The Paris Agreement, born out of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 27), serves as a global action plan for mitigating climate change. Countries that are party to this agreement are obliged to furnish their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) detailing their plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The ultimate aim is to decrease emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve a state of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy: India’s Standpoint
India recently submitted its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27). The strategy is based on four key considerations:
1. Despite constituting approximately 17% of the world’s population, India’s contribution to global warming is not significant.
2. India has substantial energy requirements for development.
3. India is committed to a low-carbon development strategy.
4. India needs to build climate resilience.
Furthermore, this strategy is influenced by the vision of LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
Key Features of India’s LT-LEDS
India’s LT-LEDS primarily focuses on the rational use of national resources while ensuring energy security. The transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy will be carried out in a just, smooth, and sustainable manner. Some of the main aims include increased use of biofuels (particularly ethanol blended petrol), an increase in the penetration of electric vehicles, and a surge in green hydrogen fuel usage.
India also plans to increase ethanol blending to 20% by 2025 and encourage a modal shift to public transport. Objectives also include sustainable and climate-resilient urban development, improving energy efficiency via the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, and enhancing material efficiency and recycling methods to curtail emissions.
The Concept of Net Zero Target
The term ‘Net Zero’ does not imply that a country’s emissions will be eradicated completely. It signifies a state where a country’s emissions are offset by the absorption and removal of greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere. This can be achieved by creating more carbon sinks such as forests or through technologically advanced methods such as carbon capture and storage. Over 70 countries have pledged to achieve net zero by 2050, while India has committed to reach this milestone by 2070.
UPSC Civil Services Examination: Previous Year’s Question on Climate Commitments
In the 2016 exam, candidates were asked about the term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ (INCD). The correct answer was that INDC refers to the actions outlined by countries to combat climate change. These contributions align with the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement, which seeks to limit global temperature increase to below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, and to reach a state of net-zero emissions in the second half of the century.
In the 2021 exam, candidates were required to detail the major outcomes of the 26th session of COP to the UNFCCC and discuss the commitments made by India at this conference.
