Current Affairs

India New Climate Targets Balance Growth and Obligations

Source:Indian Express ↗

কেন এটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ

Crucial for understanding India's evolving stance on global climate negotiations, its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and balancing developmental priorities with decarbonization pathways.

সারসংক্ষেপ

An analysis of India's newly updated climate targets, examining their scope, significance, alignment with the Paris Agreement, and the careful balance struck between sustaining economic growth and fulfilling international climate commitments.

মূল বিষয়

  • India's updated climate targets under the Paris Agreement represent a calibrated balance between domestic developmental imperatives and global climate obligations.
  • The targets focus on emission intensity reduction, renewable energy capacity expansion, and long-term low-emission development strategies.
  • While viewed as modest by international standards given its status as a growing economy, India's commitments remain significant in absolute terms and alignment with the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).

গুরুত্বপূর্ণ শব্দ

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Voluntary national climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement detailing targets for emission reduction, renewable energy adoption, and carbon sinks to combat global warming.

UPSC context

UPSC GS Paper III: Environment, Conservation, and Climate Change. Important for questions on India's international commitments and emission goals.

Source
UNFCCC

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an international environmental treaty addressing climate change, serving as the parent framework for the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement.

UPSC context

UPSC GS Paper III: Environment and Biodiversity. Tested in prelims and mains regarding global climate governance bodies and annual COP summits.

Source
Paris Agreement

A legally binding international treaty adopted in 2015 under the UNFCCC to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

UPSC context

UPSC GS Paper III: Environment and Climate Change. Essential for assessing international climate negotiations, equity, CBDR-RC, and India's stance.

Source

সংযুক্ত স্থির ধারণা

Environment and Ecology - Climate Change

What are the core pillars of India's updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the UNFCCC?

  • Emission Intensity: Emission intensity reduction of GDP by 45% by 2030 and 47% by 2035 from 2005 levels.
  • Non-Fossil Capacity: Targeting 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, rising to 60% by 2035.
  • Carbon Sinks: Creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover.

আন্তঃবিষয় প্যাটার্ন

  • NDC Commitments + Domestic Carbon Markets

    India's updated NDCs emphasize non-fossil capacity alongside domestic carbon market mechanisms like the CCTS, linking international climate diplomacy with industrial decarbonisation and market-based compliance.

Expect a statement-based question linking India's updated NDCs (emissions intensity targets vs absolute cuts) with CBDR principles.

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 3

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 3

  • 2025MainsGS3

    Write a review on India's climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution intended by India been updated in 2022?

  • 2016PrelimsGS1

    The term 'Intended Nationally Determined Contributions' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

  • 2026PrelimsGS1

    Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. II. India's 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December, 2024 recorded around 8% decrease in Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 over 2019. III. Climate-resilient development necessarily depends on quick and short-term achievement of emission reduction targets. Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ? 1. Statement I is empirically supported by statement II. 2. Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in statement I. 3. Statement I and statement III together establish the premise of long-term sustainability. Select the answer using the code given below :