BERLIN: India on Thursday submitted its 'climate action plan' to a UN body at Bonn in Germany, telling the world that the country would fight the climate change by taking energy efficiency route and reducing its 'emission intensity' (carbon emission per unit of GDP) substantially as well as increasing the share of clean energy by huge 40% in its total energy mix by the year 2030.
The country, however, clarified that "India's INDC do not bind it to any sector specific mitigation obligation or action, including in agriculture sector" and said its successful implementation would depend on cooperation from the developed countries.
It said, "India's goal is to reduce overall emission intensity and improve energy efficiency of its economy over time and at the same time protecting the vulnerable sectors of economy and segments of our society.
"The successful implementation of INDC is contingent upon an ambitious global agreement including additional means of implementation to be provided by developed country parties, technology transfer and capacity building".
India in its plan also emphasised on propagating "a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation".
It also promised that the country would increase the carbon sink by creating an additional capacity of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
The 'Climate Action Plan' of individual country is called the 'Intended Nationally Determined Contribution' (INDC) in climate change negotiation parlance. Besides India, 147 other countries have so far submitted their respective INDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention of the Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In its 38-page INDC, India explained that it would reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35% by 2030 from 2005 level and sought cooperation from the developed world to achieve about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030. The non-fossil fuel based energy includes solar, wind, bio-mass and nuclear.
It said this target would be achieved with the help of transfer of technology and low cost international finance including from Green Climate Fund (GCF).
By submitting its plan to the INDC, India met the 'informal' deadline of submitting it to the UNFCCC on October 1 (Thursday).
All 196 member countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are expected to submit theirclimate action plan by October 1, specifying how they will act in their individual capacity to check global warming and fight menace of climate change under a post-2020 agreement.
Since the October 1 is just an 'informal' deadline, many countries will submit it beyond the deadline in the next couple of weeks.
These INDCs, comprising mitigation (emission cut promises) and adaptation measures, will form the basis of climate negotiations in Paris during 'conference of parties' (COP21) in November-December.
In its detailed 'climate action plan', India also explained how it would achieve these targets so that it can protect the environment without compromising on its development goal which is important for the country to eradicate poverty and ensure energy access to all its citizens.
It said, " To achieve the above contributions (promises), India is determined to continue with its on-going interventions, enhance the existing policies as detailed in previous sections and launch new initiatives".
Accordingly, it enlisted the following priority areas in its INDC:
* 1) Introducing new, more efficient and cleaner technologies in thermal power generation.
* 2) Promoting renewable energy generation and increasing the share of alternative fuels in overall fuel mix.
* 3) Reducing emissions from transportation sector.
* 4) Promoting energy efficiency in the economy, notably in industry, transportation, buildings and appliances.
* 5) Reducing emissions from waste.
* 6) Developing climate resilient infrastructure.
* 7) Full implementation of Green India Mission and other programmes of afforestation.
* 8) Planning and implementation of actions to enhance climate resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change.
India's INDC explained that it has also revisited the National Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in the light of new scientific information and technological advances and identified new missions or programs on wind energy, health, waste to energy, and coastal areas.
It said, "It is also redesigning the National Water Mission and National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture.
All the countries are expected to come out with a global climate deal after the negotiation (COP21) in Paris in December, deciding what the 196 nations will do in their respective individual capacities post-2020 to save the world from disastrous consequences of climate change.
