Context:
• India has increased its spending on climate action to 5.6% of GDP over the past six years, reflecting growing commitment to climate mitigation, renewable energy expansion, and carbon reduction strategies.
Key Highlights:
Increase in Climate Expenditure
• Climate-related spending has risen significantly, reaching 5.6% of GDP.
• Investments focus on:
- Renewable energy development
- Carbon capture technologies
- Climate resilience measures.
Renewable Energy Progress
• India has achieved two-thirds of its renewable energy targets under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• This milestone has been achieved four years ahead of schedule.
Budgetary Support
• The Union Budget 2026–27 includes funding for carbon capture strategies across the country.
International Climate Diplomacy
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India’s progress at the Munich Security Conference.
• India reiterated the principle of differentiated responsibility, arguing that countries with lower emissions should bear lower climate action costs.
Focus Areas of Climate Strategy
• Emphasis on:
- Emission reduction
- Climate adaptation and resilience
- Sustainable energy transition.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- Climate commitments made by countries under the Paris Agreement.
- Carbon Capture Technologies
- Methods that capture CO₂ from industrial emissions or the atmosphere and store it underground or reuse it.
- Renewable Energy Sources
- Energy derived from naturally replenishing resources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass.
- Paris Agreement (2015)
- Global climate treaty aiming to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Relevant Mains Points:
- India’s Climate Leadership
- Achieving renewable targets ahead of schedule demonstrates India’s commitment to global climate governance.
- Balancing Development and Climate Goals
- India must simultaneously pursue economic growth and emission reduction.
- Importance of Climate Finance
- Developing countries require financial and technological support from developed nations.
- Role of Renewable Energy in Energy Transition
- Expansion of solar and wind energy helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- Way Forward
- Accelerate renewable energy deployment and green hydrogen development.
- Expand carbon capture and storage technologies.
- Strengthen climate adaptation policies for vulnerable communities.
- Promote international cooperation on climate finance and technology transfer.
UPSC Relevance:
• GS Paper 3 – Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development.
• GS Paper 2 – Global Climate Governance and International Negotiations.