Why in the news?

  • Ahead of the COP 30 scheduled to take place in Brazil, only 29 out of the 195 Countries have submitted their updated NDC goals, the top emitters staying aloof from submitting their NDCs.

Nationally Determined Contributions(NDC)

  • What are Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)?
    • Definition: NDCs are climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement (2015), outlining their targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapting to climate impacts.
    • Nature: Not legally binding targets but binding obligation to submit, update, and report progress.
  • Features
    • Bottom-up approach: Each country sets its own targets considering national circumstances.
    • Global stocktake: Every 5 years, collective progress is assessed.
    • Progression principle: Each new NDC must be more ambitious than the previous one.
    • Transparency mechanism: Monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) required.
  • India’s NDCs
    • First NDC (2015):
      • Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 33–35% from 2005 levels by 2030.
      • Achieve 40% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
      • Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover.
    • Updated NDC (2022):
      • 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 (from 2005 level).
      • 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030.
      • Reaffirmation of forest carbon sink goal.
      • Alignment with Panchamrit announced at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021):
        • Net zero by 2070.
        • 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.
        • 1 billion tonnes reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
        • 50% energy from renewables by 2030.
        • Reduction of carbon intensity of economy by 45% by 2030.
  • Significance
    • Helps India balance development and climate commitments.
    • Strengthens India’s leadership in climate diplomacy (e.g., International Solar Alliance, LiFE Mission).
    • Provides a framework for green growth, clean energy transition, and sustainable development.
  • Challenges
    • Financing gap: Need for climate finance ($2.5 trillion till 2030).
    • Technology transfer issues.
    • Energy security vs. emission reduction.
    • Monitoring and enforcement capacity.