Q. The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

  • pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East
  • plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change
  • capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
  • plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals

Answer: (b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change

Notes:

Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC):
  • Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) embody efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
    • Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) is a term used under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
    • It is for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that all countries that signed the UNFCCC were asked to publish in the lead up to the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris, France in December 2015.
  • INDCs are the post-2020 climate action commitments by parties to increase the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions.
  • India had submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change during October 2015. It has been revised and approved by the Cabinet during August 2022.
Revised INDC
  • India at the 26th  session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow, United Kingdom during November 2021, expressed to intensify its climate action by presenting to the world five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action.
  • This update to India’s existing NDC translates the ‘Panchamrit’ announced at COP 26 into enhanced climate targets. The update is also a step towards achieving India’s long term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070. 
  • As per the updated NDC, India now stands committed to –
    • reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030, from 2005 level and
    • achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
    • To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
  • The updated NDC also represents the framework for India’s transition to cleaner energy for the period 2021-2030.
  • The updated NDC reads “To put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation, including through a mass movement for ‘LIFE’– ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ as a key to combating climate change”.
  • India’s updated NDC has been prepared after carefully considering our national circumstances and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC).