Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (UPSC 2021)

COP26 in Glasgow was a significant attempt to keep the Paris climate goals alive. It strengthened global ambition on mitigation, finance and carbon markets, while also exposing the gap between promises and delivery.

• Glasgow Climate Pact: Reaffirmed the aim of limiting warming to 1.5°C and asked countries to strengthen their 2030 targets by the end of 2022.
• Coal and fossil fuels: For the first time in COP text, countries agreed to accelerate the “phase-down” of unabated coal power and to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.
• Article 6 rules: Finalised the Paris Agreement rulebook for carbon markets and cooperation, reducing the risk of double counting in emission reductions.
• Climate finance: Expressed concern over the failure of developed countries to deliver the promised USD 100 billion annually. It also called for doubling adaptation finance by 2025 and began formal discussions on loss and damage funding.
• Sectoral pledges: Glasgow declarations on forests, methane, and clean technology created voluntary momentum, though not all were binding.

India’s commitments at COP26 were announced as the Panchamrit:

• Reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030.
• Meet 50% of energy needs from renewable sources by 2030.
• Reduce projected cumulative carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030.
• Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030.
• Achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

India also launched Mission LiFE to promote sustainable lifestyles and stressed climate justice, equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. COP26 thus combined stronger global rules with ambitious Indian pledges, but its real value depends on finance, technology support and credible implementation.