Cabinet Approves India’s Updated NDC to be Reported to UNFCCC

The Union Cabinet, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved India's revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which will be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The updated NDC aims to increase India's contributions to the Paris Agreement's goal of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change. Such action will also assist India in ushering in low-emission growth paths. It would safeguard the country's interests and future development needs by adhering to the UNFCCC's principles and provisions.

India expressed its intention to intensify its climate action at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, by presenting to the world five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India's climate action. This update to India's existing NDC translates the COP 26 'Panchamrit' into more ambitious climate targets. The update is also a step toward India's long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070.

Previously, on October 2, 2015, India submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC. The 2015 NDC included eight goals, three of which have quantitative targets for 2030, namely, reaching 40 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources; reducing the emissions intensity of GDP by 33 to 35 percent compared to 2005 levels; and creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover.

According to the updated NDC, India is now committed to reducing the Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, and to achieve approximately 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

The approval granted today also advances the Prime Minister's vision of sustainable lifestyles and climate justice in order to protect the poor and vulnerable from the adverse effects of climate change.

"To put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of life-based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation, including through a mass movement for 'LIFE'- 'Lifestyle for Environment' as a key to combating climate change," the updated NDC states. The decision on enhanced NDCs demonstrates India's highest-level commitment to decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions.

India's updated NDC was created after careful consideration of our country's circumstances, as well as the principle of shared but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC). India's updated NDC also reaffirms our commitment to working toward a low-carbon emission pathway while pursuing sustainable development goals.

Recognizing that lifestyle plays a significant role in climate change, the Prime Minister of India proposed a 'One-Word Movement' to the global community at COP 26. LIFE is summed up in a single word...L, I, F, E stands for Lifestyle for Environment. LIFE's vision is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with and does not harm our planet. This citizen-centric approach to combating climate change is also reflected in India's updated NDC.

The updated NDC also serves as a framework for India's transition to cleaner energy from 2021 to 2030. The updated framework, along with many other government initiatives such as tax breaks and incentives such as the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for promoting manufacturing and the use of renewable energy, will provide an opportunity to strengthen India's manufacturing capabilities and boost exports. It will result in an increase in green jobs in areas such as renewable energy, clean energy industries such as automotive, manufacturing of low-emission products such as electric vehicles and super-efficient appliances, and innovative technologies such as green hydrogen, among others.

So far, India's climate actions have been largely funded by domestic resources. However, providing new and additional financial resources, as well as technology transfer, to address the global climate change challenge, are among the developed countries commitments and responsibilities under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. India will also need its fair share of international financial resources and technical assistance.

India's NDC does not commit the country to any sector-specific mitigation obligations or actions. The goal of India is to reduce overall emission intensity and improve energy efficiency of its economy over time, while also protecting vulnerable sectors of the economy and segments of our society.