India's Climate Plan For 2030 Thursday October 01,2015

The 'Climate Action Plan' of individual countries is called the 'Intended Nationally Determined Contribution' (INDC), in climate-change negotiation parlance.                                                             All 196 member countries of the United Nations Framework Convention of the Climate Change (UNFCCC) were expected to submit their climate action plan by Oct. 1,2015 specifying how they will check global warming and fight climate change under a post-2020 agreement. So far, only 148 countries have submitted their INDCs to the UNFCCC. As the deadline was an informal one, many countries are expected to submit their INDCs over the next couple of week                                        

What are INDCs?

Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) are the primary means by which governments communicate internationally the steps they will take to address climate change in their own countries.

INDCs reflect each country’s ambition for reducing emissions, taking into account its domestic circumstances and capabilities. Some countries may also address how they will adapt to climate change impact, and what support they need from, or will provide to, other countries to adopt low-carbon pathways and to build climate resilience.

It works by pairing national policy-setting — in which countries determine their contributions in the context of their national priorities, circumstances and capabilities — with a global framework that Idrives collective action towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.

                                    India met the 'informal' deadline of October 1,2015 for submission of its INDC                                      India did clarify that its INDC does not bind it to any sector-specific mitigation, obligation or action, including in the agriculture sector. India explained that it would reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33% -35% by 2030, from 2005 levels. It sought cooperation from the developed world to achieve about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. Non-fossil fuel-based energy includes solar, wind, bio-mass and nuclear. It said this target would be achieved with the help of transfer of technology and low-cost international finance, including from the Green Climate Fund.                                                              

"The successful implementation of INDC is contingent upon an ambitious global agreement including additional means of implementation to be provided by developed country parties, technology transfer and capacity building."
India in its plan emphasised that it would propagate "a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation." It also promised that the country would increase the carbon sink by creating an additional capacity of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2, equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030

* 1) Introducing new, more efficient and cleaner technologies in thermal power generation.

* 2) Promoting renewable energy generation and increasing the share of alternative fuels in overall fuel mix.

* 3) Reducing emissions from transportation sector.

* 4) Promoting energy efficiency in the economy, notably in industry, transportation, buildings and appliances.

* 5) Reducing emissions from waste.

* 6) Developing climate resilient infrastructure.

* 7) Full implementation of Green India Mission and other programmes of afforestation.

* 8) Planning and implementation of actions to enhance climate resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change.                            .