MEV 025: Unit 12 – State response to climate change

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 UNIT 12: STATE RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

12.1 Introduction

Climate change presents a serious challenge for national governments around the world. For a country like India, with its vast geography, high population density, and economic dependence on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture and water, addressing climate change is not optional—it is essential. This unit examines India’s state-level and national responses to climate change, focusing on key policy frameworks, missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), low-carbon strategies, and various adaptation initiatives. It also covers India’s participation in global climate action.

12.2 Objectives

After completing this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understand the urgency of India’s climate response.
  • Examine India’s international and national policy efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
  • Explore the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
  • Analyze low-carbon growth strategies in key sectors.
  • Identify additional adaptation programmes supporting climate resilience in India.

12.3 India’s Need for Urgent Response

India faces acute vulnerabilities to climate change:

  • Increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts.
  • Melting glaciers affecting Himalayan rivers.
  • Rising sea levels threatening coastal communities and infrastructure.
  • Food and water security risks due to changing monsoon patterns.
  • The socio-economic impacts are more severe for the poor and marginalized, making climate response both an environmental and social imperative.

12.4 India’s Response to Climate Change

India’s climate response is multifaceted, involving international cooperation, national-level missions, sectoral policies, and grassroots-level adaptation. India advocates for climate equityin global forums and has developed strategies that aim to balance development with sustainability.

12.5 Response at International Level

India participates actively in international climate negotiations:

  • UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)
  • Paris Agreement – India has committed to:
    • Reducing emissions intensity of its GDP by 33–35% by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
    • Achieving about 40% non-fossil-based power capacity.
    • Creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through afforestation.
  • Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) showcase India's global leadership in promoting renewable energy.

12.6 Response at National Level

India has adopted several national strategies to address climate change.

12.6.1 National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

Launched in 2008, the NAPCC consists of eight core missions, each focusing on a different aspect of sustainable development and climate resilience:

12.6.1.1 National Solar Mission

  • Promotes development and deployment of solar energy.
  • Aims for 100 GW of solar power capacity.
  • Focus on reducing costs, local manufacturing, and research.

12.6.1.2 National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

  • Encourages industries to improve energy efficiency.
  • Implements market-based mechanisms like Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme.

12.6.1.3 National Mission on Sustainable Habitat

  • Focuses on urban planning, building energy efficiency, and public transport.
  • Promotes better waste and water management.

12.6.1.4 National Water Mission

  • Aims to conserve water, improve efficiency by 20%, and address water stress through integrated resource management.

12.6.1.5 National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem

  • Addresses challenges in glacier retreat, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood protection in the Himalayan region.

12.6.1.6 National Mission for a Green India

  • Targets afforestation and ecosystem restoration on 5 million hectares of land.
  • Aims to enhance ecosystem services, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.

12.6.1.7 National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

  • Promotes climate-resilient agricultural practices.
  • Emphasizes water use efficiency, soil health management, and weather insurance.

12.6.1.8 National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

  • Supports climate research, data collection, and capacity building for informed policy-making.

12.6.2 Low Carbon Growth

India has adopted a sector-wise approach to promote low-carbon development.

12.6.2.1 Energy Reforms

  • Focus on renewables, phasing out inefficient coal plants, and improving grid infrastructure.
  • Promotion of energy efficiency across sectors.

12.6.2.2 Transport

  • Electrification of vehicles and development of mass transit systems.
  • Standards for fuel efficiency and emission control.

12.6.2.3 Agriculture and Forests

  • Promoting conservation agriculture, reducing methane emissions, and expanding carbon sinks.

12.6.2.4 Oil and Gas

  • Emphasis on cleaner fuels like natural gas and promoting biofuels.
  • Improvement in refining efficiency and oil recovery technologies.

12.6.2.5 Disaster Management

  • Strengthening early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and community resilience.
  • Integration of climate risk in national and state disaster plans.

12.7 Other Adaptation Measures

India also implements several complementary programmes to strengthen adaptation:

12.7.1 National Action Programme to Combat Desertification

  • Focuses on soil conservation, afforestation, and livelihood development in arid areas.

12.7.2 Watershed Development Programme

  • Enhances water availability, promotes sustainable farming, and reduces run-off in hilly and semi-arid regions.

12.7.3 Command Area Development Programme

  • Improves irrigation efficiency, reduces water wastage, and ensures equitable distribution of water.

12.7.4 Crop Diversification

  • Encourages resilient cropping patterns and alternative livelihoods in climate-affected regions.

12.7.5 NICRA (National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture)

  • Led by ICAR, this programme strengthens research and extension for climate-resilient agricultural technologies.

12.8 Let Us Sum Up

India's response to climate change is comprehensive and multifaceted. It includes:

  • Strong international engagement and leadership.
  • Ambitious national missions under the NAPCC.
  • Sector-wise strategies for low-carbon growth.
  • Community-based and ecosystem-based adaptation measures.

By aligning development goals with environmental sustainability, India seeks to protect its people and ecosystems from the adverse effects of climate change.

12.9 Keywords

  1. NAPCC – National Action Plan on Climate Change
  2. Adaptation – Adjusting systems to reduce climate impacts
  3. Mitigation – Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  4. Carbon Sink – Natural systems that absorb more carbon than they emit
  5. Afforestation – Planting trees on non-forest land
  6. Energy Efficiency – Using less energy to perform the same task
  7. Low Carbon Growth – Economic development with reduced emissions
  8. NICRA – National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture
  9. ISA – International Solar Alliance
  10. Sustainable Habitat – Urban development that is environmentally efficient and resilient

 

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