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India’sINDCs
ReferenceQuestions&Answers
[1]
The following document summarises India’s position on questions surrounding the Intended
Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) that the nation submitted to UNFCCC, and on the
associatedissuesontheclimatechangediscussion.
A.
INDIA’SINDCS..........................................................................................................................................4
Question1.
WhatarethekeyelementsandfocusareasofIndia’sINDCs?..............................................4
Question2.
HowwilltherevisedrenewableenergymixaffectIndia’sresidentsandcitizens?..............4
Question3.
WillIndia’sINDCsaffectthepoor?.........................................................................................5
Question4.
WhyhasIndianotspecifiedanytargetsfortheagriculturesectorinitsINDCs?.................5
Question5.
HowareIndia’sINDCsdifferentfromothercountries’?........................................................5
Question6.
WhydidIndiachoosetoreleaseitsINDCsonGandhiJayanti?.............................................5
B.
INDIA’SCAPABILITIESFORACHIEVINGINDCS&CLIMATECHANGETARGETS...........................................................6
Question7.
AreIndia’sINDCsambitiousenough?....................................................................................6
Question8.
AreIndia’sINDCsachievable?................................................................................................6
Question9.
WhatwillitcostIndiatoimplementtheINDCSinitstotality?DoesIndiahavethe
resourcestoimplementitsINDCs?HowdoesIndiaplantomobilisenecessaryresources?...........................6
Question10.
WillIndia’sINDCsbeimplementedonlybythegovernment?...............................................7
Question11.
WhatistheroleoftheStatemachineryinimplementingtheINDC?....................................7
Question12.
WhatistheinstitutionalarrangementforimplementingINDCs?.........................................7
Question13.
HowdoesIndiaplantoachieveitstargetforachievingitsrenewableenergycapacity?....8
C.
INDIA’SOVERALLAPPROACHANDTARGETSFORCLIMATECHANGEACTION............................................................9
Question14.
WhatareIndia’splansforclimatechangemitigation?.........................................................9
Question15.
WhatareIndia’splansforadaptingtoclimatechange?.......................................................9
Question16.
WhyhasIndianotindicateditspeakingyearforGHGemissions?.....................................10
Question17.
emissions?
WhyhasIndiaestablisheditstargetsforreducingemissionsintensity,butnotits
10
Question18.
WhatroledoesIndiaenvisageforitselfintheglobalclimatechangeeffort?...................11
Question19. WhataretheMRVmechanismsforIndia’sINDCs?Isthereanynewregulatorymechanism
inadditiontotheEnvironmentalProtectionAct?..........................................................................................11
Question20.
objectives?
WouldIndiaadoptadomesticcapandtrademechanismformeetingmitigation
11
Question21. WhatarethelifestylechangesthatIndiawouldbeadvocating?Arethereanyincentives
forlow-carbon/carbon-friendlylifestyles?.....................................................................................................12
Question22. Indiaplanstorampupitsuseofcoalinthecomingdecade.IsIndiaconcernedthatthis
willexasperateanalreadyseriousproblemofairpollutioninitsmajorcities?...........................................12
Question23. Despiteitsmajorandambitioustargetfornon-fossilfuels,whyisIndia’sfutureelectricity
requirementlinkedtocoal?............................................................................................................................12
D.
INDIA’SPERSPECTIVEONCLIMATEJUSTICE....................................................................................................13
Question24.
WhyisIndiatalkingaboutclimatejustice?.........................................................................13
[2]
Question25.
Whatistherolerequiredofdevelopednationstowardsclimatechangeaction?.............14
Question26. WhatroleistheinternationalcommunityexpectedtoplayinachievingIndia’sclimate
changegoals? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14
E.
INDIA’SPERSPECTIVEONTHEPARISTALKSANDAGLOBALAPPROACHTOCLIMATECHANGE.....................................15
Question27.
WhatisIndia’sviewonapossibleagreementinParisduringCOP21?...............................15
[3]
A. INDIA’SINDCS
Question1.
WhatarethekeyelementsandfocusareasofIndia’sINDCs?
India’sINDCscentrearoundthecountry’spoliciesandprogrammesfor:
a. SustainableLifestyles
b. CleanerEconomicDevelopment
c. ReducingEmissionintensityofGrossDomesticProduct(GDP)
d. IncreasingtheShareofNonFossilFuelBasedElectricity
e. EnhancingCarbonSink(Forests)
f.
Adaptation
g. MobilizingFinance
h. TechnologyTransferandCapacityBuilding
The INDCs also capture citizens’ and private sector’s contributions to combatting climate
change.Accordingly,IndiahasdevelopedacomprehensiveandbalancedsetofactionsforitsINDCs
fortheperiodof2021-2030tocomprehensivelyaddressmitigationaswellasadaptationcomponents.
Theseinclude:
a. ReducingcarbonintensityofitsGDPby33to35percentfrom2005levelsby2030
b. Increasingtheshareofnonfossilfuelbasedelectricityto40%by2030
c. Acceleratingaforestationeffortstocreateadditionalcarbonsinksof2.5to3billiontonnesof
CO2equivalent
d. Making concerted efforts toward adapting to climate change by enhancing investments in
development programmes in various vulnerable sectors, including agriculture, water
resources,forestry,healthanddisastermanagement
e. Buildingcapacitieswhileadoptinganddeployingnewenergyefficienttechnology,andother
technologiestoreducecarbonemissions
f. Mobiliseresourcestoexecuteourplansforcombattingclimatechangeacrosssectors
g. Adoptandpromotelowcarbon-intensivelifestylesonamassscalethroughsustainableliving
basedontraditionsandvaluesofconservationandmoderation
Question2.
HowwilltherevisedrenewableenergymixaffectIndia’sresidentsandcitizens?
TherevisedrenewableenergymixwillbenefitIndia’sresidents.Indiaisworkingtoensurethateach
Indianhouseholdhasaccesstoelectricityby2030.
India'sclimatechangeactionswillnotimpedeitsoveralldevelopmentambitions,butwillenablethe
individualgrowthaspirationsofitscitizens.Renewableenergywillplayacentralroleinbridgingthe
supplyanddemandgapsinitscurrentenergylandscape.
Weareevenworkingtowardsachievingeconomiesofscaleinrenewableenergyproductiontothis
effect.Thesuccessoftheseeffortsareevidentinthenear100%reductionincostsforproducingsolar
energyovertime.
[4]
Question3.
WillIndia’sINDCsaffectthepoor?
India’sactionstowardsaddressingclimatechangewillhaveastrongdevelopmentimpact.Webelieve
that efforts towards enabling the growth of the poor out of poverty trap is an important part of
tackling climate change, and the opportunities for the two efforts to complement each other are
significant.
Tothateffect,alltheeffortsoutlinedinourINDCs-increasingcleanenergyproductionandaccess,
deploying new energy efficient technologies, and adapting to low carbon-intensive lifestyles - are
targetedatcreatingopportunitiesforsustainablelivelihoods,andsustainabledevelopmentforthe
poorthroughoutIndia.
Question4.
WhyhasIndianotspecifiedanytargetsfortheagriculturesectorinitsINDCs?
India’s INDCs do not bind it to any sector-specific mitigation obligations or actions. However,
specificallyfortheagriculturesector,India’sINDCsaimtotransformthissectorintoanecologicallysustainableclimate-resilientproductionsystemthatisabletoovercomeissuesoffoodsecuritywhile
harnessingitsfullestpotential.TheNationalMissiononSustainableAgriculture,whichispartofour
National Action Plan on Climate Change, will focus on developing rainfed areas, enhance efficient
waterconsumptiononfarms,promotesustainablesoilhealthmanagement,anddisseminateclimatechange related monitoring and modelling information and knowledge to the country’s agricultural
producers.
Developinganecosystemforsustainableagricultureisacorepartoftheadaptationeffortsincluded
intheINDCs.
Question5.
HowareIndia’sINDCsdifferentfromothercountries’?
India’sINDCshaveastrongfocusonclimatechangeadaptation.Ofthe8missionsoutlinedinIndia’s
National Action Plan on Climate Change, 4 efforts are focused on adaptation efforts –sustainable
agriculture, increasing water use efficiency, sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem and creating
sustainablehabitats.Noothercountryhasbeenabletodedicatethesameleveloffocusandefforton
adaptationonaslargeascaleasIndia.
Furthermore,Indiahasalsooutlinedthefinancialimplicationsoftheclimatechangegoals,inaddition
tooutliningitsplanfordevelopingandenablingtechnologytransferstofacilitateINDCachievement.
Question6.
WhydidIndiachoosetoreleaseitsINDCsonGandhiJayanti?
India’s approach to INDCs has been anchored in the vision of equity inspired by the Father of our
NationMahatmaGandhi'sfamousexhortation,“Earthhasenoughresourcestomeetpeople’sneeds,
butwillneverhaveenoughtosatisfypeople'sgreed,”ThereleaseofIndia’sINDCsonhisbirthdate
commemorates not only his vision for India’s development, but also his principles for sustainable
living.FormulatedundertheleadershipandguidanceofHon’blePrimeMinister,ShriNarendraModi,
India’sINDCsencapsulatetheimportanceofsustainableliving.
[5]
B. INDIA’SCAPABILITIESFORACHIEVINGINDCS&CLIMATECHANGETARGETS
Question7.
AreIndia’sINDCsambitiousenough?
India has significantly scaled up its emissions reductions targets to 33-35% by 2030, amongst the
highestacrossdevelopingcountries.Indiaisrunningoneofthelargestrenewablecapacityexpansion
programsintheworld. The shareofnon-fossilfuelsinIndia’stotalinstalledcapacityisprojectedto
increase from 30% in 2015 to about 40% by 2030. Additionally, the ratio of India’s per capita
greenhousegasemissionstoGDPwillbesignificantlysmallerthanothernations’.
India’sINDCsaresynchronisedwithitsdevelopmentgoalsandsimultaneouslyreflectitsboldvision
for combatting climate change.India’s contribution also helps in meeting its commitment towards
conserving nature, and to the imperatives of meeting competing demands for the sustainable
development goals for its 1.2 billion people. These goals include poverty eradication, food and
nutrition security, universal access to education and health, gender equality and women
empowerment,waterandsanitation,energy,employment,andsustainablehabitats.
The INDCs are indicative of our foremost composite efforts, given the resources and capacities
towardsthisendeavourInthefaceofclimatechange.
Question8.
AreIndia’sINDCsachievable?
Hon’blePrimeMinisterModihasagalvanisingvisionthatprovidesarobustforceforachievingIndia’s
INDCs. India will showcase its leadership and resolve in combating climate change through the
achievementofitspast,present,andfutureambitionsinthisarena.
IndiahasdevelopeditsINDCsinaccordancewithitsexistingresourcesandcapabilitiesandexpedite
internationalsupport.India’splansforachievingtheseINDCstakeintoaccountthedecreasingcosts
ofrenewableenergyandenhancedaction.Internationaltechnologypartnershipsandsupportfrom
theUNFCCCfinancialmechanismsarealsoimportantpillarsinthiseffort.
Question9.
WhatwillitcostIndiatoimplementtheINDCSinitstotality?DoesIndiahavethe
resourcestoimplementitsINDCs?HowdoesIndiaplantomobilisenecessary
resources?
PreliminaryassessmentindicatesthefundrequirementforimplementingINDC’stobeapproximately
USD2.5trillionbetween2015and2030.ThecostsforachievingIndia’sINDCsisdifficulttoestimate
atthisjuncture,andeveneminentthinktankshavegivensignificantlylargerangesforcostsofIndia’s
mitigation and adaptation needs. Nonetheless, India’s INDCs have been developed based on its
existingresourceandcapacitybase,andwithdueconsiderationtoitsgrowthanddevelopmentplans.
Indiaplanstomobilisenecessaryresourcesthroughvariousdomesticbudgetary,private,institutional
andinternationalsources.ThemajorityoftheshareofIndia'scurrentclimatefinancecomesfrom
budgetarysources,asmostoftheresourcesforadaptationandmitigationarebuiltintotheongoing
sectoral programmes. The availability of funds for climate change actions is largely guided by the
overallresourcesavailablewithandtherequirementsofdifferentsectors.
Additionally, India is experimenting with a careful mix of market mechanisms, together with fiscal
instrumentsandregulatoryinterventionstomobilisefinanceforclimatechange.TheGovernmentof
Indiahassetuptwodedicatedfundsatthenationallevel–NationalCleanEnvironmentFundfinanced
byacarbontaxequivalentcessofINR200(USD3.2)oneachtonneofcoal,andaNationalAdaptation
FundonClimateChange.TheNationalCleanEnvironmentFund,withacollectionofINR170.84billion
[6]
(USD2.7billion)isbeingusedfor46cleanenergyprojectsworthINR165.11billion(USD2.6billion),
while the National Adaptation Fund is being used to address adaptation needs in sectors like
agriculture,water,forestryetc.,withaninitialallocationofINR3,500million(USD55.6million).
Indiahasallocatedsignificantresourcestothecauseofclimatechangeinspiteofitscompetingneeds.
In its quest for development, India will not pursue the developmental paradigm followed by the
developed countries in the past which is resource and energy intensive. India is willing to consider
adoptingmodelsofdevelopmentalternativetothese-tothebestofitscapabilities-intheinterest
oftheglobalmovementofclimatechangeaction.However,India’stransitionshouldalsobeviewed
andadequatelysupportedasacollectiveenterprisebyothernations.
SubstantialscalingupofIndia’splansforclimatechangeactionwouldalsorequiremoreresources.
DevelopingcountrieslikeIndiaareresource-constrainedandarealreadyspendingenormousamounts
onclimatechange.Implementingclimatechangeactionswouldrequiredevelopedcountriestofulfill
their pledges and obligations in view of existing resource gaps. The international community must
fulfill their commitment of collectively contributing USD 100 billion annually by 2020 towards the
GreenClimateFundandthensuitablyscaleitupbeyond2020
Question10. WillIndia’sINDCsbeimplementedonlybythegovernment?
AwidevarietyofstakeholdersneedtocontributetowardsachievementofIndia’svoluntarypledge.
Indiancitizensandindustrywillplayacentralrolebyadoptinglesscarbon-intensivelifestyles,and
energyefficienttechnologiesandpractices.Anenablingpolicyenvironmentandleadershipfromthe
energyindustrywillhelpfurtherincreasetheshareofrenewablesintheenergymix,andmobilizenew
andadditionalresourcesforcombattingclimatechange.
WehopethateachindividualinIndiawillpartnerwiththegovernmenttowardsreducingourcarbon
intensity,andtolimitingourcarbonfootprint,inoureffortstowardsholisticsustainabledevelopment
andgrowth.
Question11. WhatistheroleoftheStatemachineryinimplementingtheINDC?
The broad policy initiatives of the Central government are supplemented by actions of the State
Governments, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), initiatives of the private sector and other
stakeholders.TheCentrehasconsistentlyencouragedthestategovernmentstodevelopandsubmit
individualStateActionPlans-32StatesandUnionTerritorieshaveputinplacetheStateActionPlan
on Climate Change (SAPCC) to mainstream climate change concerns in their planning process. A
competitive environment and guidelines for advancing mitigation and adaptation efforts have also
beenintroducedandsuppliedtothestategovernments.
Even though India has not indicated any subnational targets, we encourage the states to initiate
independentaction,withtheCentralgovernmentprovidingprecedentconditionsforprogrammes.A
collective effort from all corners of the country will enable States to become players in not only a
national,butatrulyglobalefforttowardscombattingclimatechange.
Question12. WhatistheinstitutionalarrangementforimplementingINDCs?
Aseriesofmeasureshavebeenundertakenbythegovernmenttodrivedomesticactiononclimate
changeincludingreconstitutionofthePrimeMinister’sCouncilonClimateChange(PMCCC).Taking
intoaccounttheneedofthehour,PMCCCdecidedtoenhancetheambitionofallnationalmissions
underNAPCCwithrespecttoadaptation,mitigationandcapacitybuilding.AnExecutiveCouncilon
Climate Change has also been set to support PMCCC. In addition, the government has set-up a
[7]
NationalSteeringCommitteeforClimateChangeAdaptationProgramme.Differentdepartmentshave
establishedtheirownmechanismsforimplementingandmonitoringclimatechangeaction.
To augment the availability of assured targeted resources, Government of India has set up two
dedicated funds at the national level for mobilising financing for mitigation and adaptation
respectively viz. National Clean Environment Fund and the National Adaptation Fund on Climate
Change. Multilateral institutions like the World Bank, ADB etc will also play a prominent role in
implementationofIndia’sINDCs.
Question13. HowdoesIndiaplantoachieveitstargetforachievingitsrenewableenergy
capacity?
Renewableenergysourcesareastrategicnationalresource.HarnessingthesesourceswillputIndia
onthepathtoacleanerenvironment,energyindependence,andastrongereconomy.Therenewable
energy technologies contribute to better air quality, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, curb global
warming, add jobs to the economy and, protect environmental values such as habitat and water
quality. Over the years, India has successfully created a positive outlook necessary to promote
investmentin,demandfor,andsupplyof,renewableenergy.India’sstrategyonrenewableenergyis
driven by the objectives of achieving energy security, increasing energy access and reducing the
carbonfootprintofthenationalenergysystems.Ithasevolvedovertheyearsthroughincreasingly
strongercommitmentatfederallevel.
Theinstitutionalarrangementforofftakeofrenewableenergypowerwillbefurtherstrengthenedby
RenewablePurchaseObligationsandRenewableGenerationObligations.
India’sshareofnon-fossilfuelinthetotalinstalledcapacityisprojectedtoincreasefrom30%in2015
toabout40%by2030.Indiaisrunningoneofthelargestrenewablecapacityexpansionprogrammes
intheworld.Between2002and2015,theshareofrenewablegridcapacityhasincreasedbyover6
times-from2%(3.9GW)toaround13%(36GW)-fromamixofsourcesincludingWindPower,Small
HydroPower,BiomassPower/Cogeneration,WastetoPowerandSolarPower.Innormativeterms,
theCO2emissionabatementachievedfromtherenewablepowerinstalledcapacitywas84.92million
tonsCO2equivalentperyearasof30June2015.
Toacceleratedevelopmentanddeploymentofrenewableenergyinthecountry,theGovernmentis
takinganumberofinitiativeslikeup-scalingoftargetsforrenewableenergycapacityadditionfrom
30GWby2016-17to175GWby2021-22.Therenewablepowertargetof175GWby2022willresult
in abatement of 326.22 million tons of CO2 equivalent per year. The ambitious solar expansion
programme seeks to enhance the capacity to 100 GW by 2022, which is expected to be scaled up
furtherthereafter.Effortswillincludescalingupeffortstoincreasetheshareofnon-fossilfuelbased
energyresourcesintotalelectricitymixincludingwindpower,solar,hydropower,biomass,wasteto
energyandnuclearpower.
•
•
•
•
•
Windpowerinstalledcapacityto60-GWby2022
Solarpowerinstalledcapacityto100-GWby2022
Biomassinstalledcapacityto10-GWby2022
Harnesshydropowerpotentialofover100-GW
Nuclearpowerinstalledcapacityto63-GWby2032
India has also decided to anchor a global solar alliance, International Agency for Solar Policy &
Application(InSPA),ofallcountrieslocatedbetweenTropicofCancerandTropicofCapricorn.Solar
powerinIndiaispoisedtogrowsignificantlywithSolarMissionasamajorinitiativeoftheGovernment
ofIndia.Aschemefordeveloping25SolarParks,UltraMegaSolarPowerProjects,canaltopsolar
[8]
projectsandonehundredthousandsolarpumpsforfarmersisatdifferentstagesofimplementation.
TheGovernment’sgoalof‘ElectricityforAll’issoughttobeachievedbytheaboveprograms,which
would require huge investments, infusion of new technology, availability of nuclear fuel and
internationalsupport.
C. INDIA’SOVERALLAPPROACHANDTARGETSFORCLIMATECHANGEACTION
Question14. WhatareIndia’splansforclimatechangemitigation?
India plans to reduce its emissions intensity by 33-35% between 2005 and 2030. However, India
‘actions towards climate change mitigation have a strong development impact. To this effect, it is
focusingonacceleratingtheuseofcleanandrenewableenergyby40%by2030,andonpromoting
efficientuseofenergy.By2030,wealsointendtoincreaseourcarbonsinksbycreatinganadditional
capacityequivalentto2.5to3billiontonnesofCO2throughsignificantaforestationefforts.
Toachieveitstargetsforincreasingrelianceonrenewableenergy,Indiaisrunningoneofthelargest
renewablecapacityexpansionprogramsinworld.Theeffortsfeatureestablishmentofsolarparksand
powerprojects,anchoringaglobalsolaralliance(InSPA),creationofGreenEnergyCorridorstoensure
evacuationfromrenewableenergyplants,implementationoftheNationalSmartGridMissionalong
withnewprogrammesforincreasingenergycapacitiesfromwindandwasteconversion.
Indiaisbuildingitscapacitytodeveloptechnologythatwilleffectivelycombatclimatechange.India
ispromotingenergyefficienttechnologies,aswellastechnologiesdrivenbyrenewableandhybrid
energy. Along with the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, India’s Zero Defect, Zero
Effectpolicyalsoaimstoenhanceenergyandresourceefficiency.
IndiaisalsoadvocatingforIPRregimesthatwillenableglobalR&Dcollaborationsfordevelopment
andtransferofcleantechnologies.Indiaisalsolookingtodeveloptechnologiestoenablelowcarbon
growthwithspecialfocusontechnologiesforcleangenerationfromfossilfuels,energymanagement
andstoragesystemsforrenewableenergy.
Indiaisclearthatmitigationeffortsshouldnotinhibitgrowthaspirations.Indiaisfocusingonbending
theemissionstrajectorywithoutcompromisingtheenergyrequirementsthatwillenablethenation’s
collectiveandholisticgrowth.
Question15. WhatareIndia’splansforadaptingtoclimatechange?
AdaptationmeasuresfeatureprominentlyinIndia’sframeworkforclimatechangeaction,andarea
partofIndianlifestyles.India’sheritageembracesnature,andenvironmentalconsciousnessisdeeply
rootedinitstraditions.Peopleherehavelearnttoliveinharmonywithnature.Indiahasmadelifestyle
changes an integral part of its solution to climate change in cognisance with its population and
economicgrowth.
Furthermore,Indiaisoneofthenationstohaveimplementedmeasurestoadapttoclimatechange
on a large scale. Already,32 of India’s 29 states and 7 union territories have submitted respective
State Action Plans on Climate Change, which complement India’s National Action Plan on Climate
Change (NAPCC). In its NAPCC, the nation has focused 4 of its 8 missions on adaptation efforts,
including: a) sustainable habitats; b) optimising water use efficiency; c) creating ecologically
sustainable climate resilient agricultural production systems; and, d) safeguarding the Himalayan
glaciersandmountainecosystem.
India’s adaptation efforts include initiatives in agriculture, water, health, coastal region & islands,
[9]
disastermanagement,biodiversityandecosystemprotection,andsecuringrurallivelihoods.Indiais
implementingnationalschemestopromoteorganicfarming,efficientirrigationsystems,watershed
management, improving soil health and climate resilient agriculture. India has set up the National
AdaptationFundwithacorpusofINR350Crores(USD55.6million)toenabletheseefforts.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi recently stated, “We can achieve the same level of development,
prosperityandwellbeingwithoutnecessarilygoingdownthepathofrecklessconsumption.Itdoesn't
meanthateconomieswillsuffer;itwillmeanthatoureconomieswilltakeonadifferentcharacter.It
isnotaboutexercisebuttodiscoverthesenseofonenesswithyourself,theworldandthenature.By
changingourlifestyleandcreatingconsciousness,itcanhelpusdealwithclimatechange.”
Question16. WhyhasIndianotindicateditspeakingyearforGHGemissions?
Amongdevelopingnations,onlyChinahasbeenabletogiveapeakingyearforitsemissions,because
ithasachievedastageofdevelopmentthatisconduciveformakingsuchacommitment.Ontheother
hand, many developing nations, including India, are still in various phases of acceleration in their
respectivetrajectoriesforeconomicdevelopment,andhencenotinanoptimalstageofdevelopment
toformalizeapeakingyearforcarbonemissions.
Additionally,Indiaalsoneedstobalanceitsdevelopmentneedswithclimatechangeactions.Indiahas
pledgedtocurtailemissionsintensityasperitsexistingresources,capabilitiesandpolicies.Developing
nationslikeIndianeedtoindustrializeanddeveloptomeetthegrowthaspirationsofitspeople.
As Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi stated in his recent address to the UN General Assembly, “Each
countrymust,ofcourse,takeitsownnationalmeasures;eachgovernmentmustfulfilitsresponsibility
tosupportgrowthanddevelopment.Whenwethinkofthescaleofneedsintheworld-2.5billion
peoplewithoutaccesstobasicsanitation;1.3billionpeoplewithoutaccesstoelectricity;or1.1billion
people without access to drinking water, we need a more comprehensive and concerted direct
internationalaction.InIndia,themostimportantaspectsofmydevelopmentagendaarepreciselyto
focusontheseissues.TheeradicationofpovertymustremainatthecoreoftheDevelopmentAgenda
andcommandourfullestattention.”
Question17. WhyhasIndiaestablisheditstargetsforreducingemissionsintensity,butnotits
emissions?
Indiaaccountsfor2.4%oftheworldsurfacearea,butsupportsaround17.5%oftheworldpopulation.
Ithousesthelargestproportionofglobalpoor(30%),nearlyaquarteroftheglobalpopulationthat
lacks access to electricity (304 million), and about a third of the global population relying on solid
biomassforcooking.Over90millionofitspopulationlacksaccesstosafedrinkingwater.
Furthemore,itisexpectedthatabout40%ofIndia’spopulationin2030wouldbeurban,asagainst
30%currently.Aspopulationexpandsandincomesgrow,thisshiftwilllikelyberealisedalongside
demographic changes that will exponentially increase the demand for urban amenities like
housing,energy,transport,water,wastedisposal.ItisestimatedthatmorethanhalfofIndiaof
2030isyettobebuilt.
India’sdevelopmentprocessishencedoublychallenging,asitnotonlyhastocompletethecurrent
unfinished development agenda, but also strategise for future pressures that may increase the
magnitudeofthisdevelopmentgap.Indiawillneedtocontinueincreasingitsenergyconsumptionto
address these development needs. Thus, given its development pressures, India cannot target
emissionsreductionsinabsoluteterms,butasproportionstoitspopulationandeconomicgrowth.
[10]
However, India’s economic growth is guided by a key concern for balancing overall holistic
development withsustainability. TheaverageannualenergyconsumptioninIndiain2011wasonly
0.6tonnesofoilequivalent(toe)percapitaascomparedtoglobalaverageof1.88toepercapita.It
mayalsobenotedthatnocountryintheworldhasbeenabletoachieveaHumanDevelopmentIndex
of0.9ormorewithoutanannualenergyavailabilityofatleast4toepercapita.WithaHDIof0.586
andglobalrankof135,Indiahasalottodotoprovideadignifiedlifetoitspopulationandmeettheir
rightfulaspirations.
Furthermore,evenwithoutitstargetsforemissionsreduction,India’spercapitaemissionsin2030,
estimatedtobebetween4-5.2metrictonnesofCO2equivalent,willstillbelowerthanthecurrent
globalaveragesofdevelopednations,estimatedtobe8.98metrictonnesofCO2equivalent.
Question18. WhatroledoesIndiaenvisageforitselfintheglobalclimatechangeeffort?
Indiahasbeenaddressingclimatechangeasoneofitskeynationalpriorities,andhasvoluntarilytaken
responsibilitytorespondtothischallenge.Indiaisreducingitsemissionsintensitythroughvoluntary
domestic mitigation and adaptation efforts. Along with stronger commitments to increasing the
composition of non fossil fuel in the total installed capacity to 40% by 2030, enhancing energy
efficiency and through its 8 missions against climate change, the country has also introduced
mechanismsformonitoringairqualityandpollutiongrowth.Inadditiontotheeightmissionsofthe
NAPCC,thegovernmentisalsosettingupnewmissionstointhelightofnewscientificevidenceand
technological advances on Wind Energy, Health, Waste-to -Energy conversion and Coastal
management.
Asaresultofallofitsefforts,theemissionintensityofourGDPhasdecreasedby12%between2005
and2010.Theenergyintensityoftheeconomyhasdecreasedfrom18.16goe(gramsofoilequivalent)
perRupeeofGDPin2005to15.02goeperRupeeGDPin2012atanannualrateofover2.5%.Inits
EmissionGapReport2014,theUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)hashencerecognised
Indiaamongstthecountriesontracktoachieveitsvoluntarypledgesforemissionreduction.
Question19. WhataretheMRVmechanismsforIndia’sINDCs?Isthereanynewregulatory
mechanisminadditiontotheEnvironmentalProtectionAct?
IndiaispartoftheMRVframeworkdevelopedbytheUNFCCC.Reportingfordevelopingcountriesis
implementedthroughnationalcommunications(NATCOMs)andbiennialupdatereports(BURs).India
submitteditsInitialNATCOMtotheUNFCCCin2004.India’ssecondNATCOMtotheUNFCCCwas
submittedin2012.IndiaisgoingtosubmititsfirstBiennialUpdateReport(BUR)toUNFCCCin2015.
BURs provide an update of the information presented in NATCOMs, in particular on national GHG
inventories, mitigation actions, constraints and gaps, including support needed and
received.Verification of reports is addressed at the international level through the process of
international consultation and analysis of BURs. This is to increase the transparency of mitigation
actionsandtheireffectsaswellassupportneededandreceived.
Question20. WouldIndiaadoptadomesticcapandtrademechanismformeetingmitigation
objectives?
UnderitsNationalMissionforEnhancedEnergyEfficiency,Indiacompletedthefirstphaseofamarketbased system, Perform Achieve Trade (PAT), to enhance energy efficiency in energy intensive
industries. Industries that surpass their Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) targets that qualify for
tradableearningEnergySavingCertificates(eSCert).Througheffortsbetween2012and2015alone,
4.05%reductioninaverageSECorsavingsof6.7Mtoeperyearareexpected.
[11]
Additionally,IndiahasbeenaforerunnerintheinternationalCleanDevelopmentMechanism(CDM),
andhasachievedsignificantprogressintheinitialphaseofimplementation.AsofApril2015,India
hasregistered1,564oftotal7,629projectswiththeCDMExecutiveBoard,sofarthesecondhighest
intheworld.Nearly14%ofthetotalCertifiedEmissionReductionsgloballyhavebeenaccordedto
Indianprojectsinthesectorsofenergyefficiency,fuelswitching,industrialprocesses,municipalsolid
waste,renewableenergyandforestry.
EveninvestorshaverecognisedsuchpotentialinIndia,asthecountry’sCDMprojectshaveattracted
privatesectorinvestmentsofaboutRs.579,306crores(US$87.77billion),constituting90-95%ofall
CDMprojectsinthecountry.
Question21. WhatarethelifestylechangesthatIndiawouldbeadvocating?Arethereany
incentivesforlow-carbon/carbon-friendlylifestyles?
India wishes to propagate a sustainable lifestyle which is based on the principle of ‘needs based
consumption’. Environmental sustainability, which involves both intra-generational and intergenerational equity, has been the approach of Indians for very long. Indian traditional lifestyle
discouragesextravagantandwastefulconsumption.Indiaadvocatesthatastheworldputstogether
itsactiontomaintainandlimittheriseinglobaltemperature,thereisanequallypressingneedto
addresstheissuesofglobaltemperamentsothatmankindcanmovetowardsalifeofmoderationand
respectfornaturalresources.
AthisrecentaddresstotheUNGeneralAssembly,Hon’blePrimeMinisterModistatedthat,“wemust
lookforchangesinourlifestylesthatwouldmakeuslessdependentonenergyandmoresustainable
inourconsumption.”Inlinewithhisstatement,Indiaisencouragingsustainablelivingasaconcept
andapracticeattheheartofitsclimatechangeefforts.Indiaisemphasisingexperimentationwith
civilsocietyatamicrolevel,andfacilitatinginstitutionalstrengtheningatmacrolevel,tomotivatea
sharingeconomyandothercollaborativeconsumptionmodels.Indiansocietyalreadydemonstrates
severalexamplesofsustainablemodelsoflivingatthelocallevel.
Question22. Indiaplanstorampupitsuseofcoalinthecomingdecade.IsIndiaconcernedthat
thiswillexasperateanalreadyseriousproblemofairpollutioninitsmajorcities?
Inordertoachieveitsdevelopmentgoals,Indiawillneedtosecurereliable,adequateandaffordable
supplyofelectricity.Coalwillcontinuetofeatureprominentlyintheenergymix,asIndiahopesto
achieveitsdevelopmentgoalsthroughitsample,inherentresourcebase.
However,Indiarecognisestheneedtoeffectivelycombattheissueofairpollution.Governmentof
Indiahasalreadytakenseveralinitiativestoimprovetheefficiencyofcoalbasedpowerplantsandto
reduceitscarbonfootprint.Allnew,largecoal-basedgeneratingstationshavebeenmandatedtouse
thehighlyefficientsupercriticaltechnology.RenovationandModernisation(R&M)andLifeExtension
(LE)ofexistingoldpowerstationsisbeingundertakeninaphasedmanner.About144oldthermal
stationshavebeenassignedmandatorytargetsforimprovingenergyefficiency.
Additionally, coal beneficiation has been made mandatory. Introduction of ultra-supercritical
technology,asandwhencommerciallyavailable,ispartoffuturepolicy.Stringentemissionstandards
arealsobeingcontemplatedforthermalplantstosignificantlyreduceemissions.
Question23. Despiteitsmajorandambitioustargetfornon-fossilfuels,whyisIndia’sfuture
electricityrequirementlinkedtocoal?
While electricity has been a driving force for modern industrial growth in developed countries, it
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continues to drive the engine of economic growth in developing countries; access to electricity is
hencealsoametricformeasuringtheholisticdevelopmentofanation.However,theworldhasnot
yetcreatedamodelofpercapitaeconomicgrowththatisindependentofelectricitygrowth.
Given its growth aspirations, India’s electricity consumption is expected to accelerate. Electricity
growth has been generated predominantly through fossil fuels by developed countries, and will
continuetobegeneratedthroughthermalenergysourcesbydevelopedanddevelopingcountries,
likeIndia,inthecurrentmodelforeconomicdevelopment.Thecapabilitiesofrenewableenergyin
addressing the world’s energy needs are still limited, and the reduced technical and resource
capabilitiesofdevelopingcountriestotransfertonon-fossilfuelconsumptionfurtherinhibitefforts
toreduceglobalfossilfuelreliance.Developedcountrieshenceneedtoacceleraterenewableenergy
generation,notonlybecauseoftheirhistoricaluseofcarbonspace,butalsobecausetheyareina
muchstrongerpositiontodosothantheirdevelopingcounterparts.
On its part, India is looking to reduce the impact of its continued reliance on fossil fuels through
development and adoption of technologies that will minimise emissions. India is hence advocating
globalpartnershipsforresearchanddevelopmentofsuchtechnologiestoaccompanyitsdevelopment
trajectory.
D. INDIA’SPERSPECTIVEONCLIMATEJUSTICE
Question24. WhyisIndiatalkingaboutclimatejustice?
Withasignificantproportionofitspopulationstillbelowthepovertyline,Indiaiswell-positionedto
understandandbalancethisdemography’sneedsforupliftmentwiththeglobalagendaforclimate
changeaction.Indiaaccountsfor2.4%oftheworldsurfacearea,butsupportsaround17.5%ofthe
worldpopulation.Ithousesthelargestproportionofglobalpoor(30%,363millionpeople),around
24% of the global population without access to electricity (304 million), about 30% of the global
population relying on solid biomass for cooking and 92 million without access to safe drinking
water.These,geographicalandothersocio-economicfactorsmakeIndiahighlyvulnerabletoclimate
changeimpacts.
TheaverageannualenergyconsumptioninIndiain2011wasonly0.6tonnesofoilequivalent(toe)
percapitaascomparedtoglobalaverageof1.88toepercapita.Additionally,Indiahasbeenableto
achieveanHumanDevelopmentIndexof0.586withthissignificantlyloweraverageannualenergy
consumption.NocountryintheworldhasbeenabletoachieveaHDIof0.9ormorewithoutanenergy
availabilityof4toepercapita.
Indiahasalottodotoprovideadignifiedlifetoitspopulationandtomeettheirrightfulaspirations.
Given the development agenda in a democratic polity, the infrastructure deficit represented by
different indicators, the pressures of urbanisation and industrialisation and the imperative of
sustainablegrowth,Indiafacesaformidableandcomplexchallengeinworkingforeconomicprogress
towardsasecurefutureforitscitizens.
Givenitsexperiencesineffectivelyimplementingclimatechangeactions,Indiaalsoknowsthatcurrent
adaptation efforts are not affordable or practical on a universal scale. Current climate change
resolutioneffortsputtheburdenontheeconomicallydisadvantagedofsocietywithoutaccounting
fortheirgrowthanddevelopmentaspirations.Asaresponsibleglobalcitizen,Indiaiswillingtolead
inadaptationseffortsthatwillmakeliftingthepooracrosstheworldoutofpovertycentraltoclimate
changeaction.
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Question25. Whatistherolerequiredofdevelopednationstowardsclimatechangeaction?
The issue of climate change has resulted from the model of economic growth and extravagant
consumption by developed countries, who have established a precedent model for economic
developmentwhichisunsustainable. Thus,asdevelopednationshavedonemorehistoricalharmto
the environment, they have a greater historical responsibility to mitigate climate change, and to
supportdevelopingcountriesinmitigationandadaptationefforts,especiallyastheyaretofollowa
differentmodelofeconomicgrowth
Furthermore, developed nations have significantly greater capabilities to address climate change
actionthandevelopingcountries.Ifmeasurableandmeaningfulprogressistobemade,developed
countriesneedtoextendsupporttodevelopingcountries.TheIndianPrimeMinisterrecentlystated
that, “We must seek a more habitable and sustainable world. This also means that the developed
countriesmustfulfilltheircommitmentsforfundingandtechnologytransfer.Second,nationalaction
isimperative.Technologyhasmademanythingspossible.Weneedimaginationandcommitment.
Indiaispreparedtoshareitstechnologyandcapabilities,justaswehaveannouncedafreesatellite
fortheSAARCcountries.”
Similarly,whiledevelopednationsshouldbesubjectedtopre-2020emissionreductiontargets,they
shouldalsoextendfinancialsupporttodevelopingnations,andfacilitatetechnologyexchangesand
incentivestoprotectthepoorindevelopingcountriesfrombearingthecostsofclimatechangeaction.
ConduciveglobalIPRregimeswillenabledevelopingcountriestoeffectivelycombatclimatechange,
andtoaccelerateacrosstheirgrowthtrajectorieswithgreenereconomies.
Itisalsoimportantforrichnationstoensurethattheworld’spoordonotsufferdisproportionate
burdensofclimateinjustice.Pooracrosstheworldaretheworsteffectedbyclimatechange,andthe
principlesofequalopportunitydictatethattheworldlooksaftertheirneeds.Developednationsneed
tobecognisantandawareofthisresponsibility,andhelprelievethepoorofthisunfairburden.
FormerPresidentofIreland,andcurrentU.N.SpecialEnvoyforClimateChange,MaryRobinsonhas
also echoed these sentiments, stating that, “The human rights dimensions, and in particular, the
injusticeinthefactthattheclimateimpactsarebeingfeltbythepoorestcountriesandthepoorest
communities.Thoseinthepoorestpartsofthecountryareleastresponsiblebecausetheyhaven’t
beenusingtheoil,gasandcoal.Theyhavenotbeenomitting,andyet,theyareonthefrontline.Itis
verymuchahumanrightsissue;itisagenderissue;itisamoralissue;itisapoliticalissueanditisa
developmentissue.”
Question26. WhatroleistheinternationalcommunityexpectedtoplayinachievingIndia’s
climatechangegoals?
The successful implementation of INDCs is contingent upon an ambitious global agreement that
details the additional means of implementation to be provided by developed country parties,
includingtechnologytransferandcapacitybuildingfollowingArticles3.1and4.7oftheConvention.
Adetailedandfullscaleassessmentofinternationalclimatefinanceneedswillbefinalisedatalater
stageandwoulddependonthegapbetweenactualcostofimplementationofIndia’splansandwhat
can be made available from domestic sources. While this would evolve over time, a preliminary
estimatesuggeststhatatleastUSD2.5trillion(at2014-15prices)willberequiredformeetingIndia's
climatechangeactionsbetweennowand2030.
Transferandgroundingoftechnologiesandtheirknowhowwouldbekeytoenhancingadaptation
andmitigationmeasuresindevelopingcountries.Italsocallsformeaningfulandadequatefinancing
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for the required cutting edge technologies. It is in this context that India has advocated global
collaborationsinResearch&Development(R&D)andanenablingIPRregimetofacilitatetechnology
accessandtransfers.
India’seffortswillalsorequirepropertrainingandupgradingofskillsacrosssectors.Whilenofirm
assessmentshavebeenmade,itisevidentthatsubstantialresourceswillberequiredtoimplement
capacitybuildingprogrammes-bothatnationalandsub-nationallevels-toaddressclimatechange
challenges.Welookforwardtoaninternationalmechanismwillenablesuchinitiatives.
E. INDIA’SPERSPECTIVEONTHEPARISTALKSANDAGLOBALAPPROACHTO
CLIMATECHANGE
Question27. WhatisIndia’sviewonapossibleagreementinParisduringCOP21?
India recognises that global commitments and concerted efforts are necessary towards global
emissions reduction and reduction of vulnerability arising out of climate change. A durable,
comprehensive,balanced,equitable,andpragmaticagreementthatencouragescountriestocommit
toclimatechangeaction,andtomaintainincreasinglyambitioustargetstowardsemissionsreduction,
isnecessaryandwillbekeytoachievableandsustainableprogress.Indiaisreadytoofferitssupport
toachieveconsensusonthisglobalissue.Suchan agreementshouldaddressnecessaryelements,
includingadaptation,mitigation,finance,technologytransfer,capacitybuildingandtransparency
inactionandsupport.
Thus, India is committed to engaging actively in multilateral negotiations under the UNFCCC in a
positive,creativeandforward-lookingmanner.Ourobjectiveistoestablishaneffective,cooperative
andequitableglobalarchitecturebasedonclimatejusticeandtheprinciplesofEquityandCommon
ButDifferentiatedResponsibilitiesandRespectiveCapabilities,undertheUNFCCC.
Atthesametime,thegenuinerequirementsofdevelopingcountrieslikeIndiaforanequitablecarbon
anddevelopmentspacetoachievesustainabledevelopmentanderadicationofpovertyneedstobe
safeguarded.
OurkeyexpectationsfromCOP21areasfollows:
• Abalancedagreementwithallcomponents-mitigation,adaptation,technology,financeand
capacitybuilding-consistentwiththeprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention
• New, additional and predictable finances from developed to developing countries for
mitigation,adaptation,technologytransferandcapacitybuilding
• Provisionoftechnologydevelopment,transferanddiffusion
• Paris Agreement must incorporate loss and damage, and make the Warsaw International
Mechanismoperational
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