India`s Commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement: Progress and Challenges
The Paris Climate Agreement, signed in 2015, is a landmark international agreement where 196 countries committed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. India, being one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, has a crucial role to play in achieving the goals of the agreement.
India`s Paris Agreement Goals
Under the Paris Agreement, India committed to three key goals – to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP (gross domestic product) by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030, to achieve 40% of its total installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, and to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
India`s Progress Towards Achieving the Goals
India has made significant progress towards achieving its Paris Agreement goals. As per the latest Biennial Update Report submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), India has already achieved a 21% reduction in the emission intensity of its GDP between 2005 and 2014, which is almost two-thirds of the way towards its 2030 target.
India is also on track to achieve its target of 40% of its installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. As of 2020, around 38% of India`s installed power capacity comes from non-fossil fuel sources, with renewables like solar and wind power playing a significant role.
In terms of carbon sinks, India has also made progress in increasing its forest and tree cover. As per the latest India State of Forest Report, India`s forest cover has increased by 3,976 square kilometers in the past two years, taking the total forest cover to 24.56% of the country`s geographical area.
Challenges Ahead
While India has made progress towards achieving its Paris Agreement goals, it still faces several challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the need for additional financial and technological support from developed countries to scale up its efforts in reducing emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy.
India`s dependence on coal for meeting its energy needs is also a significant challenge. Despite the growth in renewable energy, coal still accounts for around 70% of India`s power generation. This makes it challenging to achieve the 2030 target of 40% of installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources.
Another challenge is the need for deeper international cooperation on climate action. As a developing country with millions of people living in poverty, India needs significant support and cooperation from the international community to achieve its Paris Agreement goals while also addressing the developmental needs of its people.
Conclusion
India has made significant progress towards achieving its Paris Agreement goals, but challenges remain. Achieving a low-carbon, sustainable future will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders – individuals, governments, and the private sector – to transition to a greener economy and lifestyle. To that end, India is taking steps like adopting cleaner fuels, investing in renewable energy sources, and encouraging the use of electric vehicles, but there is still a long way to go. By collaborating with stakeholders globally and domestically, India can continue to move towards a more sustainable future and contribute to the global fight against climate change.
