COP28: India Reduces Its GDP Emission Intensity By 33% Between 2005-2019

Dubai: India firmly believes that equity and climate justice must be the basis of climate action and this can be ensured only when the developed countries take the lead in combating climate change, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said here at the COP28 on Saturday (December 9).

Delivering the national statement at the high-level segment during the ongoing annual climate conference, Mr Yadav also highlighted India’s contribution to the global actions in restricting temperature rise by reducing emission intensity much ahead of the promised target year as mentioned in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), country’s action plan for dealing with the impacts of climate change.

In our endeavour to decouple economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions, India has successfully reduced the emission intensity vis-a-vis its GDP by 33 per cent between 2005 and 2019, thus achieving the initial NDC target for 2030, 11 years ahead of the scheduled time.

He said India has also exceeded expectations in renewable energy, achieving 40 per cent of installed electric capacity through non-fossil fuel sources, nine years ahead of the 2030 target.

Also Read: COP28: Delegates Urge Greater Action On Climate-Linked Health Risks

As the COP28 proceedings continue, Mr Yadav said India looks forward to the Global Stocktake’s (GST) outcomes and emphasised the importance of resource mobilisation and new collective, quantified goals based on the needs of the developing countries.

The resource mobilisation and a new collective quality collective quantified goal must be guided by the needs and requirements of the developing countries. India firmly believes that equity and climate justice must be the basis of global climate action this can be ensured only when the developed countries take the lead in ambitious climate action.

GST is a two-year review of collective global efforts to achieve the Paris agreement goals, especially the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era (1850-1900). Calling the ongoing climate negotiations as a ‘COP28 of action’, the minister said it was evident on the first day with the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund.

India has been at the forefront of supporting action-oriented steps at the global level in response to climate change. The successful operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund is a testament to our commitment to a sustainable future.

He further said that India showcased its dedication to the environment by launching the Green Credit Initiative at COP28 on December 1. The Initiative aims to create a global trade forum facilitating the exchange of innovative environmental programmes and instruments.

Also Read: India Will Set Narrative To Grow Responsibly And Sustainably: Secretary Leena Nandan At COP28 Event

He also reminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of LiFE, the Lifestyle for Environment initiative that underscores India’s action-oriented approach. Mission LiFE aims to minimise per capita carbon footprint by promoting mindful utilisation instead of wasteful consumption.

Noting that India has consistently contributed to climate action, as seen in the historic adoption of green development backed by G-20 nations earlier this year, the Environment Minister said India’s third national communication, based on the Green Gas Inventory of 2019, along with the initial adaptation communication, reinforces its commitment to climate action while prioritising the development and well-being of its people.

India revised its NDCs upward, signalling a deepened commitment to enhanced climate action.

India added around 100 gigawatts of installed electric capacity between 2017 and 2023, with 80 per cent attributed to non-fossil fuel-based resources.

Mr Yadav also listed India’s global contributions to climate action including initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the creation of LeadIT and Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS).

The launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance during the G20 summit earlier this year in India further emphasises India’s commitment to fostering global collaboration for the widespread adoption of bio-fuels, Mr Yadav added.

Also Read: What Is Climate Smart Agriculture: Is This The Key To Ensure Food Security Amid Climate Change?

Appealing to the comity of nations to “reaffirm our commitment to work together for the common objective of a greener, cleaner, and healthier planet,” Mr Yadav exhorted,

It is of paramount importance to repose our trust and confidence in the principles and clauses of the convention and its Paris Agreement.

Delivering a statement at the Mangrove Alliance for Climate Ministerial Meeting during COP28 in Dubai, he talked about the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), unveiled in the 2023-24 budget, focuses on mangrove plantations along coastlines and salt pans.

Highlighting India’s rich mangrove ecosystems, he cited the Sunderbans, the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest, as a prime example of coexistence with nature.

India has adopted a holistic approach towards conservation. We are not just focused on reducing emissions to tackle temperature rise, but are also working towards arresting land degradation, accelerating ecosystem restoration and enriching biodiversity.

At another event, he said transparent climate finance, equitable market and facilitative global technology transfer must for deployment of low-carbon climate technologies at scale.

Also Read: India, Sweden Want To Do Things Smarter And More Sustainable: Swedish Envoy

The annual global climate talks under the aegis of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are scheduled to conclude on December 12.

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.