Paris Climate Change Agreement and India: A Closer Look at India`s Role in Curbing Climate Change

The Paris Climate Change Agreement, signed by 195 member states of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015, marked a historic moment in the world`s efforts to tackle climate change. With a goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, the agreement sets out a framework for countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

India, as one of the largest and fastest-growing economies in the world, has an important role to play in the success of the Paris Agreement and the fight against climate change. With a population of over 1.3 billion and a rapidly expanding economy, India is currently the world`s fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, behind China, the United States, and the European Union.

However, India has also been a strong advocate for developing countries in the fight against climate change, arguing that developed countries should take the lead in reducing their emissions and providing financial and technological support for developing countries to transition to low-carbon economies.

In the run-up to the Paris Agreement, India played a key role in pushing for an ambitious and equitable global climate deal. At the Paris climate summit in December 2015, India, along with other developing countries, successfully pushed for the adoption of the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” which recognizes that developed countries have a greater responsibility to reduce their emissions and provide financial and technological support to developing countries.

Under the Paris Agreement, India has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions intensity (the amount of emissions per unit of GDP) by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030, as well as increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix to 40% by 2030. India has also committed to creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.

India`s efforts to curb climate change have focused on a number of key areas, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation. The government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy, with a goal of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, including 100 GW of solar power. India has also launched a series of energy efficiency initiatives, such as the UJALA scheme, which has distributed over 36 crore LED bulbs and saved over 47,000 million kWh of electricity.

In addition, India has taken steps to promote sustainable transportation, such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme, which aims to support the adoption of electric vehicles in the country.

Despite these efforts, India faces a number of challenges in its efforts to curb climate change. The country`s high dependence on coal, which provides over half of its electricity, has led to significant air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, India`s rapidly growing population and economy pose significant challenges in terms of meeting the country`s energy needs while reducing its carbon footprint.

To address these challenges, India will need to continue its efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy, with a particular focus on reducing its dependence on coal and increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix. The government will also need to invest in energy efficiency and sustainable transportation, while ensuring that these efforts are supported by strong policies and regulatory frameworks.

Overall, India`s role in the Paris Climate Change Agreement is significant, as the country has the potential to make a major contribution to the global effort to tackle climate change. With strong leadership and continued investment in low-carbon technologies and policies, India can help to ensure that the world is on track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and build a more sustainable future for all.