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GS Paper 3:
Topics Covered: Conservation related issues.
Context:
The Government recently highlighted it’s stand at the COP 26 in the ongoing parliamentary session.
- It said, the announcement to intensify India’s climate action has the potential to bring investment and new technologies to support country’s transition to a clean and climate resilient economy.
Background:
The Government of India has articulated and put across the concerns of developing countries at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held recently in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Five Nectar Elements (Panchamrit):
India has presented the following five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action:
- Reach 500 GW Non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
- 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
- Reduction of total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now to 2030.
- Reduction of the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent by 2030, over 2005 levels.
- Achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070.
Mantra of LIFE- Lifestyle:
The mantra of LIFE- Lifestyle for Environment to combat climate change was also shared in COP 26.
- It was stated that Lifestyle for Environment has to be taken forward as a campaign to make it a mass movement of Environment Conscious Lifestyles.
- The message conveyed by India was that the world needs mindful and deliberate utilization, instead of mindless and destructive consumption.
Net Zero:
India has also pledged to become a ‘net zero’ carbon emitter by 2070, and announced enhanced targets for renewable energy deployment and reduction in carbon emissions.
India’s approach:
- As a part of its overall approach, India emphasized the foundational principles of equity, and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilitie
- It also highlighted that all countries should have equitable access to the global carbon budget, a finite global resource, for keeping temperature increase within the limits set by the Paris Agreement.
- And, all countries must stay within their fair share of this global carbon budget, while using it responsibly.
- Responsibility of the developed nations: India also called on the developed countries for climate justice, and for undertaking rapid reductions in emissions during the current decade so as to reach net zero much earlier than their announced dates, as they have used more than their fair share of the depleting global carbon budget.
Measures required to address the existing challenges:
- Platforms must adopt a ‘renewable first’ approach.
- Creating synergies amongst the various institutions and other countries. Ex: One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG), launched by India at CoP26, this would provide a lot of learning to connect energy grids across borders for renewable energy adoption under OSOWOG.
- Decarbonize emission-intensive sectors. Ex: Heavy industries like Iron and Steel.
- An ‘ecosystem-based’ approach in implementing policies. Ex: FAME India scheme.
- We need more ‘carbon sinks’ – areas that store carbon, like forests, oceans and wetlands.
- Inclusion of local people in safeguarding environment.
- Ramping up sufficient resources towards climate adaptation. Ex: The Climate Finance Leadership Initiative launched by India and the United Kingdom in September to generate more resources for climate and green energy projects is a positive step in this direction.
Insta Curious:
Know more about One Solar, One World, One Grid here.
At COP26, T.N. teenager told leaders that youth are angry. Why did she say so? Read here.
InstaLinks:
Prelims link:
- CoP 26 outcomes.
- Major policies and programs related to fighting climate change in India.
- Paris climate change targets.
Main link:
Discuss the measures required to realize the climate change targets that India had declared to achieve by 2070.
Sources: PIB.
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