Lok Sabha Question No. 2420 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: COP26 Commitments
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2420

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2023

## COP26 Commitments

## 2420. Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy:

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

- (a) whether the Government has devised a plan with periodic targets to achieve the COP 26 commitments.
- (b) if so, the details thereof with the steps taken/proposed to be taken, periodic targets and mechanism of accountability and compliance;
- (c) whether the Government has envisaged the contribution of States to meet the COP 26 targets and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Bihar;
- (d) The steps taken by the Government to realize the potential of Bihar in meeting COP 26 commitments, sector -wise;
- (e) whether India is not a part of the agreement to cut methane emissions; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) and(b): The five elements enunciated by India at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 have been appropriately incorporated in enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and Long-term Low Carbon Development Strategies towards net zero emissions by 2070, in accordance with the principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) in light of National Circumstances. The update to NDC submitted to UNFCCC in August 2022 includes India's commitment to:-
- (i) reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030, from 2005 level;
- (ii) achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based  energy  resources  by  2030,  with  the  help  of  transfer  of  technology  and  low-cost international finance including from Green Climate Fund; and
- (iii)   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  submitted  'India's  Long-term  Low  Carbon  Development  Strategy'  to  UNFCCC  in November,  2022.  India's  long-term  strategy,  to  reach  net-zero  by  2070,  rests  on  seven  key transitions to low-carbon development pathways.

(c) and(d): India subscribes only to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as per the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. No other form of contribution, including contributions of States have any official, formal or legal standing in multilateral and international action on climate change. The Paris Agreement calls solely for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and does not prescribe any form of other subnational  contributions,  even  as  a  part  of  the  NDCs,  for  any  signatory  Party,  irrespective  of whether they are Annex-I or non-Annex-I Parties.

(e) and (f): India is not a signatory to the Global Methane Pledge owing to the following reasons:

-

- i. As  per  the  Intergovernmental  Panel  on  Climate  Change  (IPCC)  Working  Group  I Report-Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis, approved by 195 member governments of the IPCC, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main driver of climate change, even as other greenhouse gases and air pollutants also affect the climate.
- ii. India's Methane emissions come from sub-sustenance activities by small and marginal farmers. These are survival emissions and not luxury ones. Indian agriculture consists of a majority of small and marginal cultivators, and hence viewing the sector as a site for mitigation rather than adaptation, may have negative implications for yields and incomes.
- iii. It  is  clarified  that  India's  INDC  do  not  bind  it  to  any  sector  specific  mitigation obligation or action, including in agriculture sector. India's goal is to reduce overall emission intensity and improve energy efficiency of its economy over time and at the same time protecting the vulnerable sectors of economy and segments of our society.

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