Lok Sabha Question No. 4014 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Climatic Change
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4014

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2021

## Climate Change

## 4014.  SHRI RAJU BISTA:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken steps to counter the challenges posed by climate change;
- (b) the climate change policy as laid down by the Government along with its stand viz-aviz other countries in tackling pollution and carbon emissions;
- (c) whether the Government has undertaken any audit to identify the percentage of land in the country that is carbon negative; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) and (b): Climate  change  is  a  global  phenomenon  and  climate  action  is  a  global collective action problem that requires the cooperation of all nations based on the principles of 'Equity' and 'Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities'. India  is  a  Party  to  the  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change (UNFCCC),  its  Kyoto  Protocol  (KP)  and  the  Paris  Agreement  (PA).  For  addressing  the challenge of climate change, India adheres to the paramountcy of the UNFCCC processes. It has  also  proactively  contributed  to  multilateral  efforts  to  combat  climate  change  and continues to do so while undertaking its own independent, enhanced initiatives in climate mitigation and adaptation besides meeting all its commitments under the UNFCCC, its KP and PA. Independent studies rate India's efforts highly and compliant with the requirements under PA.

India's actions towards combating climate change and environmental protection arise from our  traditional  values  and  commitment  to  preserve  the  environment  for  the  current  and future generations.  The Government is implementing the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which comprises eight missions in specific areas of solar energy, energy efficiency,  water,  sustainable  agriculture,  Himalayan  ecosystem,  sustainable  habitat,  green India,  and  strategic  knowledge  on  climate  change.  NAPCC  provides  an  overarching framework for all climate actions.Thirty-three States/Union Territories (UTs) have prepared their  State  Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change  in  line  with  NAPCC  taking  into  account State's/UT's specific issues relating to climate change. Under the PA, India has submitted its Nationally  Determined  Contributions  (NDCs)  with  the  target  of  reducing  the  emissions intensity  of  its  Gross  Domestic  Product  (GDP)  by  33  to  35%  by  2030  from  2005  levels, achieving about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030, and creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonne of CO2eq through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.

India has taken a lead in bringing together international coalitions such as International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and The Leadership Group  for  Industry  Transition  (LeadIT)  as  well  as  helping  other  countries  to  address  the challenge including through India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

The Government seeks to address the problem of air pollution through various extant legal and promotional measures, which inter-alia, include the following:

- (i) Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
- (ii) Revision of emission standards for industrial sectors from time to time.
- (iii) Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality.
- (iv) Monitoring of ambient air quality at 793 locations covering 344 cities/towns in 28 States  and  7  Union  Territories  across  the  country  under  the  National  Air  Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP).
- (v) Launching of National Air Quality Index.
- (vi) Notifications  of  6  waste  management  rules  covering  solid  waste,  plastic  waste,  ewaste,  bio-medical  waste,  construction  &  demolition  waste  and  hazardous  wastes issued in 2016.
- (vii) Introduction of clear/alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG, etc.).
- (viii) Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards.
- (ix) Issuance  of  directions  under  Section  18(1)(b)  of  Air  (Prevention  and  Control  of Pollution) Act, 1981 and under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for controlling air pollution.
- (x) Installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries to achieve 20 to 30% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024 The plan includes 102 non-attainment cities, across 23 States and Union Territories.
- (xi) Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) for air pollution control in Delhi and NCR

(c) and (d): As per India's third biennial update report to the UNFCCC (2021),  India's Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector was a net carbon sink in 2016 and neutralized 15% of total carbon dioxide emissions of the country in that year.Also, as per the India State of Forest Report 2019 of the Forest Survey of India, India's forest carbon stock  was  7124.6  million  tonne.  Carbon  stock  in  India's  forests  is  increasing  which  is attributable  to  an  increase  in  forest  cover  and  the  corresponding  increase  in  the  growing stock.