Why in news?
Cabinet approves India’s Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Reasons for Updated NDC:
- Seeks to enhance India’s contributions towards achievement of the strengthening of global response to the threat of climate change, as agreed under the Paris Agreement.
- Such action will also help India usher in low emissions growth pathways.
- It would protect the interests of the country and safeguard its future development needs based on the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC.
- Towards achieving India’s long term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070.
- Transition towards cleaner energy
- Improve the energy efficiency of its economy over time and at the same time protect the vulnerable sectors of economy and segments of our society.
India at COP26 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, expressed to intensify its climate action by presenting to the world five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action.
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About Panchamrit:
- India will reach its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
- India will meet 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
- India will reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now onwards till 2030.
- By 2030, India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45 percent.
- By 2070, India will achieve the target of Net Zero.
These panchamrits will be an unprecedented contribution of India to climate action.
PM Modi also proposed ‘One-Word Movement’ at COP26: LIFE i.e. Lifestyle For Environment.
The vision of LIFE is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it.
India’s updated NDC also captures this citizen centric approach to combat climate change.
However, India’s updated NDC does not include all the promises made at COP26 in Glasgow.
A press statement, following the Cabinet approval, only mentions two of these promises, namely that India is committed to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, from the 2005 level and achieving 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
Practice Mains Question:
How far will India’s advocacy of the five elements for climate change “Panchamrit” announced at the COP26, balance India’s interests with that of the global needs?
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