The Paris Agreement: India`s Efforts in Combating Climate Change

The Paris Agreement, signed in December 2015, marks a significant milestone in global efforts to combat climate change. With almost 200 countries pledging to limit their greenhouse gas emissions and to keep the global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius, this agreement is one of the most important international agreements of our time. India, as one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world, has played a crucial role in this agreement. In this article, we will take a look at India`s efforts and contributions towards the Paris Agreement.

India and the Paris Agreement

India has been an active participant in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations since the early 1990s. The country`s position has been to demand that developed countries bear the responsibility for climate change due to their historical emissions and higher per capita emissions. However, India has also been vocal about its commitment to reduce its own carbon footprint and increase its renewable energy capacity.

India`s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) were submitted to the UNFCCC in October 2015. The INDCs are the country`s pledges to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030. This target is ambitious and requires significant changes in India`s energy sector, transportation and agriculture. To achieve this target, India has proposed several measures such as:

1. Increasing the share of non-fossil fuels in electricity generation to 40% by 2030.

2. Increasing forest cover to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

3. Promoting energy efficiency in industries, buildings, and appliances.

4. Creating a National Adaptation Fund to help vulnerable communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.

India`s efforts towards renewable energy

One of the significant contributions of India towards the Paris Agreement is its commitment towards renewable energy. India has set an ambitious target of achieving 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy by 2022, of which 100 GW will be solar power. As of 2020, India had already achieved 89 GW of renewable energy capacity, including 36 GW of solar power. India`s solar power capacity has increased from 2.63 GW in 2014 to 34 GW in 2020, making it one of the fastest-growing renewable energy markets globally.

India has also launched several initiatives to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The government`s flagship scheme `UJALA` (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) has distributed over 370 million LED bulbs, resulting in savings of over 47 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. India has also launched the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) schemes to promote electric mobility and reduce emissions from the transportation sector.

Challenges and the way forward

Despite India`s significant efforts towards combating climate change, the country still faces several challenges in achieving its targets. The rapid economic growth and increasing population present significant challenges to India`s efforts to reduce emissions. The country`s dependence on coal for electricity generation remains a significant obstacle to achieving its renewable energy targets.

To address these challenges, the government has launched several initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme, which aims to reduce air pollution levels in 122 cities by 20-30% by 2024. India has also launched the Green Energy Corridor project, which aims to create a transmission system for renewable energy across the country.

Conclusion

India`s commitment towards combatting climate change and its efforts towards renewable energy are commendable. The country has set an ambitious target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and increasing its renewable energy capacity. However, the challenges to achieving these targets are significant, and the government must continue to take measures to address these challenges effectively. With humanity`s future at stake, all countries must work together to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and save our planet.