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Climate Change — India's Context
4.1 What Is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns. While natural factors cause some variability, since the mid-20th century human activities — primarily burning fossil fuels — are the main driver. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), established in 1988 by WMO and UNEP, provides the scientific basis for climate policy.
Key climate science facts (IPCC AR6, 2021–22):
- Global average temperature has risen by +1.1°C above pre-industrial (1850–1900) levels
- Human influence has warmed the climate at an unprecedented rate
- Limiting warming to 1.5°C requires net-zero CO₂ by around 2050 globally
- India is warming at +0.7°C relative to 1901 baseline
4.2 India's Climate Vulnerability
India is one of the most climate-vulnerable nations due to its unique geographic and economic exposure.
Key vulnerability factors:
- Monsoon dependence: agriculture and 60% of GDP sensitive to monsoon variability
- Long coastline: 7,516 km exposed to sea-level rise
- Himalayan glaciers supplying major river systems are retreating
- Heat stress: frequency of extreme heat events tripled since 1990s
- Flooding: 80% of India's rainfall in 4 months; extreme rainfall events increasing
4.3 International Climate Architecture
| Agreement/Body | Year | Key Provision |
|---|---|---|
| UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) | 1992 (Rio Earth Summit) | Common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) |
| Kyoto Protocol | 1997 | Binding emission cuts for developed (Annex I) countries only |
| Copenhagen Accord | 2009 | Voluntary pledges; $100 billion/year climate finance by 2020 |
| Paris Agreement | 2015 (COP21) | Nationally determined contributions (NDCs); 1.5/2°C target |
| Glasgow Climate Pact | 2021 (COP26) | Phase-down of coal; net-zero pledges; $100B climate finance |
| Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework | 2022 | 30×30: protect 30% land and oceans by 2030 |
India's position on climate justice: Historically, India argued for climate justice — developed nations caused most cumulative emissions (USA + EU = ~50% historical emissions) and must bear greater responsibility. India's per capita CO₂ emissions (1.9 tonnes, 2022) are well below the global average (4.7 tonnes) and USA (14.9 tonnes).
4.4 India's Climate Policy Architecture
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), 2008 — the foundational document with 8 National Missions:
| Mission | Ministry | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| National Solar Mission | MNRE | Solar energy deployment |
| National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency | BEE/MoP | Industrial efficiency |
| National Mission on Sustainable Habitat | MoHUA | Green buildings, urban planning |
| National Water Mission | Jal Shakti | Water conservation |
| National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem | DST | Glacier/ecosystem protection |
| National Mission for Green India | MoEFCC | Afforestation |
| National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture | MoA | Climate-resilient farming |
| National Mission for Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change | DST | Research |
4.5 India's Updated NDC (2022)
Three enhanced targets:
- Reduce GDP emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels) — upgraded from 33–35%
- Achieve 50% cumulative electric power from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 — upgraded from 40%
- Create carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent through forests and tree cover by 2030
- Net-zero by 2070 (announced at COP26, Glasgow)
Key climate finance mechanisms:
- National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC): Rs 852 crore (2015–2024)
- Green Climate Fund (GCF): India accredited 7 National Implementing Entities
- Climate Finance Leadership Initiative: India chairs G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group