India’S National Policies, Commitments and Targets on Climate Change

India’s climate change policy operates through a combination of international commitments, statutory frameworks, domestic missions, and sector-specific mitigation strategies. As a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement, India balances its carbon emission reduction goals with national economic development priorities. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) acts as the nodal agency for coordinating climate policies across central ministries and state governments.

International Commitments and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Updated NDCs (2021–2030)

India submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the UNFCCC in August 2022, enhancing its 2015 commitments. These updated targets outline the framework for domestic emission intensity reductions and clean energy expansion through 2030.

• Emission Intensity Target: Reduce the emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
• Non-Fossil Fuel Power Target: Achieve 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
• Carbon Sink Target: Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
• Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE): Promote a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation.

Panchamrit Targets (COP26 Glasgow Commitments)

Announced at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, the Panchamrit strategy serves as the foundation for long-term climate action.

Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS)

India submitted its LT-LEDS document to the UNFCCC at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh (2022). This strategy outlines low-carbon development pathways, including expansion of green hydrogen production, rapid electrification of transport, nuclear energy expansion, energy efficiency enhancements, and industrial decarbonization.

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

Launched in June 2008, the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) encompasses eight core national missions managed by individual line ministries.

National Solar Mission (NSM)

• Implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Targeted setting up grid-connected solar power capacity to promote ecologically sustainable growth.
• Accelerated deployment through the Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects and solar park development.

National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE)

• Implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power.
• Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT): Market-based mechanism to reduce energy consumption in energy-intensive large industries using Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts).
• Market Transformation for Energy Efficiency (MTEE): Accelerates adoption of energy-efficient appliances through programs like UJALA.
• Energy Efficiency Financing Platform (EEFP): Provides financial institutions with risk-guarantee mechanisms to finance energy efficiency projects.
• Framework for Energy Efficient Economic Development (FEEED): Creates fiscal instruments to mitigate financial risk for energy service companies.

National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (NMSH)

• Implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• Focuses on energy efficiency in buildings through the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), urban waste management, and public transport infrastructure expansion.

National Water Mission (NWM)

• Implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Aims to increase water use efficiency by 20% through integrated water resources management, rainwater harvesting, and the “Catch the Rain” campaign.

National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE)

• Implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Monitors glaciology, biodiversity, and hydrology across the Himalayan region through dedicated research observational networks.

National Mission for a Green India (GIM)

• Implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Focuses on protecting, restoring, and enhancing India’s diminishing forest cover while improving carbon sequestration capabilities.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

• Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Promotes climate-resilient farming systems, soil health management, rainfed agriculture technology, and integrated farming practices.

National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC)

• Implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Generates scientific knowledge, climate modeling capacity, and research infrastructure to assist policy formulation.

State Level Action Plans and Domestic Legislative Frameworks

State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC)

• States and Union Territories formulate State Action Plans on Climate Change aligned with NAPCC objectives.
• Addresses state-specific climate vulnerabilities, local adaptation requirements, and disaster management strategies.

Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022

• Amends the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, to enforce mandatory non-fossil energy use for specified consumer categories.
• Empowers the Central Government to specify a Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) to create a domestic market-based carbon trading framework.
• Expands the application of the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) to large residential buildings.

Green Hydrogen Mission

• Approved in January 2023 with an initial outlay of ₹19,744 crore.
• Targets producing at least 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
• Intends to add about 125 GW of associated renewable energy capacity in the country.

Key Facts and Data for Revision

• India established its National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) in 2015 to support concrete adaptation activities across states.
• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) functions as a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, created under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
• UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) stands as the world’s largest zero-subsidy domestic lighting campaign.
• FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) promotes rapid adoption of electric mobility across public and private transportation fleets.
• India met its original Paris Agreement target of 40% non-fossil fuel installed capacity nine years ahead of the 2030 deadline in November 2021.
• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was jointly launched by India and France at COP21 in Paris in 2015, headquartered in Gurugram, India.
• Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was launched by India at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York in 2019.
• India’s total forest and tree cover accounts for over 24.6% of the country’s total geographical area.