Context:
India has updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the UNFCCC, setting more ambitious climate and clean energy targets for 2035, signaling a stronger commitment to global climate action.
Key Highlights:
- Government Initiative / Policy Details
- Target of 60% non-fossil fuel-based installed electricity capacity by 2035.
- 47% reduction in emissions intensity (from 2005 levels).
- Expansion of carbon sink to 3.5–4 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
- Builds upon earlier NDC (2022) targets of 50% non-fossil capacity and 44% emissions reduction by 2030.
- Data and Progress
- Current non-fossil installed capacity: ~52%.
- Only ~25% actual electricity generation from non-fossil sources.
- Achieved 36% reduction in emissions intensity (2005–2019).
- Carbon sink already at 1.97 billion tonnes.
- Forest & tree cover: 24.6% (2021) vs target of 33%.
- Stakeholders Involved
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- UNFCCC & Paris Agreement framework
- Renewable energy sector, states, forest departments
- Significance / Applications / Concerns
- Strengthens India’s global climate leadership.
- Boosts renewable energy transition (solar, wind, hydro, nuclear).
- Enhances carbon sequestration through afforestation.
- Concerns:
- Gap between installed capacity vs actual generation.
- Land, finance, and technology constraints.
- Forest cover still below policy target.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): Voluntary climate targets under the Paris Agreement.
- Carbon Sink: Natural/ artificial systems (e.g., forests) that absorb more CO₂ than they emit.
- Emissions Intensity: Emissions per unit of GDP.
- India is among few G20 nations updating 2035 climate targets recently.
- Forest Survey of India tracks forest and tree cover.
- India’s climate goals align with Panchamrit commitments (COP26).
Relevant Mains Points:
- India’s strategy reflects balance between development and climate responsibility.
- Shift from fossil fuels supports energy security and sustainability.
- Challenges:
- Intermittency of renewables → need for storage solutions.
- Financing green transition → requires international climate finance.
- Forest expansion vs land-use conflicts.
- Role in global climate governance:
- Enhances India’s negotiating power in climate diplomacy.
- Supports equity principle (CBDR-RC).
- Importance of just transition ensuring livelihoods are protected.
- Way Forward
- Invest in grid modernization and battery storage.
- Promote green hydrogen and offshore wind.
- Expand afforestation with community participation.
- Strengthen climate finance access and technology transfer.
- Improve energy efficiency and demand-side management.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS Paper 3: Climate Change, Energy, Environment
- GS Paper 2: International Climate Agreements & Global Governance
- Prelims: NDC, Carbon Sink, Emissions Intensity