India stands committed to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030: Centre

23 Dec 2022 , 03:02 AM

The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, said as per the updated NDC submitted to UNFCCC in August 2022, India stands committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, from 2005 level.

Also, to achieve about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by year 2030, with the help of transfer of technology and low-cost international finance including from Green Climate Fund; and put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation, through a mass movement for ‘LIFE’– ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ as a key to combating climate change. 

The NDC update is also a step towards achieving India’s long-term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070; for which India has prepared and submitted a separate framework document titled ‘India’s Long-term Low Carbon Development Strategy’ to the secretariat of the UNFCCC in November 2022.

In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister Choubey said that Central Government of India stands committed to combat climate change through its several programmes and schemes including the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). This comprises of missions in specific areas of solar energy, energy efficiency, water, sustainable agriculture, Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, health, green India, and strategic knowledge for climate change. The National Solar Mission under the NAPCC is one of the key initiatives to promote sustainable growth while addressing India’s energy security.

The written reply stated that India has progressively continued decoupling of economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions. India’s emission intensity of gross domestic product (GDP) has reduced by 24% between 2005 and 2016.