Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Context (PIB): India has achieved two older NDC targets well ahead of time.
These two targets are related to emissions intensity and non-fossil fuel-based energy.

What are Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)?

NDC is a non-binding climate action plan to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts. It describes a country’s national policies or decisions toward reaching net-zero emissions.
They represent short- to medium-term plans and are required to be updated every five years with increasingly higher ambition based on each country’s capabilities and capacities.
Pledges made within an NDC are considered voluntary, with countries facing no legal penalty if they fail to meet their goals. However, they are obligated under the Paris Agreement to monitor progress and report on any failures.
- Some countries like Britain and Chile have incorporated their NDCs into national law, making their climate commitments legally binding at the national level.
They can help identify if the world is on track with its climate goals. More than 170 countries met the last NDC deadline ahead of COP26 in early 2021.

Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.
It was adopted at the Conference of the Parties 21 (COP 21) to UNFCCC in Paris in 2015.
It aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C and preferably limit it to 1.5°C, compared to the pre-industrial level.
India is a party to UNFCCC and a signatory to the Paris Agreement.

Components of strong NDCs

An NDC should be detailed, ambitious, and credible. Countries with more developed NDCs that outline projects, policies, and financing needs can help attract funding.

Credits: wri.org

It should set emissions reduction targets for key polluting sectors, such as energy and transportation, while reconciling national policies that might frustrate progress in transitioning to clean energy, such as fossil fuel subsidies.
It should state how a country will monitor progress toward its NDC pledges.
It should provide details of the projects to be launched or plans for creating jobs in clean technology industries. It could include plans for public health measures amid increasing temperatures.

Importance of NDCs

They translate international climate agreements into concrete targets and measures that countries will work toward over the upcoming years.
They reinforce the global goals agreed upon under the Paris Agreement and show exactly what each country commits to reaching them.
They represent politically supported plans for investing in crucial areas that have the potential not only to meet climate goals but also to power sustainable development.
They can help governments prioritise actions across all sectors and align their policies and legislation with climate objectives.

What Support Do Developing Countries Need to Implement Their NDCs?

Financial investments: Many developing country NDCs include “conditional” climate pledges, which they intend to achieve only with international support.
Technical assistance: It involves connecting developing countries with experts and resources to help them develop and implement their NDCs.
Technology transfer: It involves developed countries sharing clean technologies and relevant know-how with developing nations to support their low-carbon transitions; e.g., by helping them obtain licenses to use patented technologies.

India’s NDC at COP 21 (Paris)

India’s original NDC contained three main targets for 2030:
1. A 33 to 35% reduction in emissions intensity (or emissions per unit of GDP) from 2005 levels.
2. At least 40% of total electricity generation to come from non-fossil renewable sources.
3. An increase in forest cover to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

India’s Updated NDC at COP 26 (Glasgow)

At COP 26, India made five promises called ‘Panchamrit’ to strengthen India’s climate commitments.
Two were upward revisions of existing NDC targets, i.e., emissions intensity and non-fossil fuel-based energy targets.
India revised its NDC targets as it was on its way to meeting existing goals before the 2030 deadline.
Now, in 2023, both old NDC targets have been surpassed.

India’s Goals for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Reduction in Emissions: India intends to lower the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by the year 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
Creating Carbon Sinks: India aims to develop an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through afforestation and reforestation initiatives.
Energy from Renewables: By 2030, the country aims to fulfil 50% of its energy requirements from non-fossil fuel sources, aiming to install 500 GW of renewable energy capacity.

Present Status of the Updated NDC Targets

43.81% of total electricity generation comes from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources.
Emission intensity has been reduced by 33% between 2005 and 2019.

Challenges in Achieving the Updated NDC Targets

High dependence on fossil fuel-based electricity: Over 57% of electricity is still fossil fuel-based.
Rise in CO₂ emissions: India’s 2030 carbon emissions may range from 35 to 40 billion tonnes. A one-billion-tonne reduction will signify a 2.5 to 3% decrease.
Infrastructure cost: Incorporating renewable energy into the grid demands substantial investments in storage, grid modernisation, and smart grid technologies.
Limited domestic resources

Way Forward

International collaboration: E.g., India and France launched the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which provides a platform for cooperation among solar-rich countries to work for efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Providing incentives: E.g., under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, incentives are provided for green hydrogen production.
Adopting updated technology: E.g., in the nuclear power sector, moving beyond Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), India is exploring Light Water Reactors (LWRs) and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These offer faster deployment, potentially lower costs, and enhanced safety features.
Using ICT to raise awareness: E.g., e-AMRIT is a one-stop portal for creating awareness about Electric Vehicles (EVs) in India, providing all information about policies, incentives, charging stations, etc.
Addressing infrastructure issues: E.g., the Green Energy Corridor Scheme was launched to synchronise electricity produced from renewable sources with conventional power stations in the grid.
Fixing loopholes in policies and acts: E.g., Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 permits private forest diversion without clearance, aiming to incentivise afforestation. But this provision eases using afforested land as ‘carbon credits’.
Policy support to allied sectors: E.g., Ethanol is a biofuel produced by yeast fermentation of sugars or starches. So, there should be agriculture policies supporting ethanol-producing crops.