Climate change and India's performance on Paris goals

India is committed to making a mark in renewable energy and green transition. Here's an update on NDC goals.

 Climate change and India's performance on Paris goals

---

• The story: India's PM announced in August 2021 that India has already installed 100 GW of renewable energy, adding that India is the only country among G20 nations that is progressing rapidly to meet its climate goals.
• What's the goal: India has a target of achieving 40% of electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 in its nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. One of the means to achieve the target is installing 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022.

1. India has also set a target of 450 GW of renewable energy by the end of this decade - 450 GW by 2030.
2. Of this, the target of 100 GW has been achieved by India ahead of schedule.

• Three NDC goals: Under the Paris Agreement, India has three quantifiable nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which include (i) lowering the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35% compared to 2005 levels by 2030; (ii) increase total cumulative electricity generation from fossil free energy sources to 40% by 2030; (iii) create additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tons through additional forest and tree cover.
• India's report card: In its Biennial Update Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) submitted in February, India said it has progressively continued decoupling of economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions. India’s emission intensity of gross domestic product (GDP) has reduced by 24% between 2005 and 2016. India is therefore on track to meet its voluntary declaration to reduce the emission intensity of GDP by 20-25% from 2005 levels by 2020.

1. India’s annual renewable energy addition has been exceeding that of coal based thermal power since 2017 and in the last six years, India’s installed renewable energy capacity has increased by two and half times and the solar energy capacity has increased by 13 times.
2. The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) announced that the total installed renewable energy capacity in India, excluding large hydro, has crossed the milestone of 100 GW.

• Net zero goal: Indian Railways has a target of becoming a net-zero emission sector by 2030. India is giving equal emphasis to environmental security as to national security. India is not energy independent, and spends over Rs.12 lakh crores on importing energy.
• Hydrogen: Government has said that green hydrogen production and exports will lead India towards a clean energy transition. It feels that Green Hydrogen is the future of the world. The setting up of the "National Hydrogen Mission" is a step in that direction. India may become a global Hub for green hydrogen production and export.
• Summary: 'Green transition' is happening across the world, with different degrees of success. India is committed, but the road ahead is not easy, as the IPCC's latest AR6 indicated. Extreme weather events are threatning the mega solar- and wind-projects in India. The climate finance expectations from the rich world too are not materialising at a pace that's needed. 

 

Join PT courses | PT Youtube | PT App | Contribute |  Testimonials