Lok Sabha Question No. 498 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Reduction of Emission Intensity
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Jugal Kishore Sharma, Kavitha Malothu, Venkatesh Netha Borlakunta, Gaddam Ranjith Reddy, Pradeep Kumar Singh, Brijendra Singh, Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 498

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## Reduction of Emission Intensity

## 498. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA:

SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH:

SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL:

SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH:

DR. G. RANJITH REDDY:

SHRI VENKATESH NETHA   BORLAKUNTA:

SHRIMATI KAVITHA MALOTHU:

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

- (a) whether the country is committed to reduce the emission intensity of the GDP by 45 per cent by 2030 and to achieve the net zero target by 2070 along with the sustainable development of the country;
- (b) whether there is any proposal/plan/blueprint to achieve the said target, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government and the technologies used to reduce carbon emission from the cities in the light of net zero commitment;
- (d) whether the Government has outlined any plan to make the new and emerging cities energy efficient and eco-centric, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the measures being taken by the Government to emerge as a global pioneer by showing its commitment to ensure harmony and energy security in the world?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) and (b) India submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015 and updated its first NDC in August 2022. As per the updated NDC, India has an enhanced target to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030 from 2005 level, achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

In November 2022, India submitted its Long-Term Low Carbon Development Strategy as per requirements of the Paris Agreement. The strategy lays out the transitions envisaged across seven key sectors, towards low-carbon development pathways. These include i) low-carbon development  of  electricity  systems  consistent  with  development,  ii)  develop  an  integrated, efficient and inclusive transport system, iii) promote adaptation in urban design, energy and material  efficiency  in  buildings,  and  sustainable  urbanisation,  iv)  promoting  economy-wide decoupling of growth from emissions and development of an efficient, innovative low emission industrial system, v) development of carbon dioxide removal and related engineering solutions, vi)  enhancing  forest  and  vegetation  cover  consistent  with  socioeconomic  and  ecological considerations and vii) ensuring the fulfilment of the economic and financial needs of lowcarbon  development.  With  respect  to  each  of  these  transitions,  the  strategy  elaborates  the relevant international and national contexts, the current policies and programmes already being implemented as well as the key elements for each transition, and their potential benefits and challenges.

India's action on climate change is also guided by the National Action Plan on Climate Change, (NAPCC), which is the overarching policy framework and comprises of national missions in specific areas of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, water, agriculture, Himalayan ecosystem,  sustainable  habitat,  green  India,  human  health  and  strategic  knowledge  on  climate change. These national missions are anchored by specific line Ministries with each Mission having its action plan.

(c) and (d) Under the NAPCC, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is implementing the National  Mission  on  Sustainable  Habitat  with  the  objectives  to  promote  low-carbon  urban growth and build resilience of cities to climate change impacts. The mission document provides a roadmap for building a sustainable and climate resilient urban India under five thematic areasEnergy and Green Building; Urban Planning, Green Cover and Biodiversity; Mobility and Air Quality; Water Management; and Waste Management.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is funding Techno-endeavors for promoting high-end basic Research, Development & Innovation in cutting-edge technologies. The DST is investing in the identification and adoption of the right balance of the portfolio of emission curtailment technologies.  The key intervention areas are; Green Hydrogen, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), high efficiency solar PV, Storage batteries, Solar Thermal devices  and  system.      The  DST  has  also  initiated  mechanisms  to  support  Research  and Development (R&D) in the area of Habitat Energy Efficiency. The programme is focused to promote R&D activities to improve energy performance of buildings and cities.

(e)  The  Government  has  taken  several  measures  to  promote  renewable  energy  (RE)  in  the country, including; permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route; waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30 th June 2025; declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30; setting up of Ultra Mega  Renewable  Energy  Parks  to  provide  land  and  transmission  to  RE  developers  for installation of RE projects at large scale; schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW Central Public

Sector Undertaking (CPSSU) Scheme Phase II; laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power; approval of National Green Hydrogen Mission with an aim to make India a global hub for production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives, etc.

***