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A National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which was released by Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh this year in June, had directed the central ministries
to present a detailed blueprint to the Prime Ministers Council on Climate
Change, on the specific implementation plans they would adopt to mitigate the
greenhouse emissions. The deadline for this was December 2008.
The Council was created on the eve of World Environment Day (June 6, 2007) to
specifically coordinate the national action plans for assessment, adaptation and
mitigation of climate change.
At present Indias annual per capita carbon dioxide emission stands at 1.2
tonnes. Even though this is far lower than the world average of a little more
than 3 tonnes, and far below the US per capita emission of 20 tonnes, India is
the third most polluting nation, after US and China. What seems certain is the
fact that as the Indian economy grows, so will these levels.
The developed nations have been pushing India to reduce the levels of
emissions, but India has argued that for them eliminating poverty is an equally
pressing issue. And that they need to reach a certain standard first. India has
also promised that levels would not rise above the world average. Interestingly,
the US has been pressing India hard to come up with some promises and action on
tackling climate changes. So far, India has not relented. But senior officials
claim that irrespective of Indias global stand, India will pursue its climate
agenda.
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Missions Critical |
Eight national
missions that form the core of the National Action Plan
- National Solar Mission
- National Mission on Enhanced Energy
Efficiency
- National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
- National Water Mission
- National Mission for Sustaining the
Himalayan Eco-system
- National Mission for a Green India
- National Mission for Sustainable
Agriculture
- National Mission on Strategic Knowledge
for Climate Change
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This is exactly where NAPCC takes off. The Action Plan was expected to chart
out a national strategy on climate change with regard to adaptation and
mitigation (reduction of greenhouse gas emissions) both domestic and in the
context of global arrangements under the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In the name of strategy, the NAPCC has put a thrust on eight missions (read
the box). Unfortunately, no targets have been set against which the emission
levels can be measured. Obviously missions without setting goals would look
vague, and thats exactly what NAPCC is, says a senior official.
On the other hand, China National Climate Change Policy (CNCCP) does make a
good beginning by setting measurable goals. China targets a 20% reduction of
energy consumption per unit GDP by 2010, and consequently reduces CO2 emissions.
It then goes on to specify 2010 targets for renewable energy, afforestation in
terms of percent cover and also carbon sink quantum, renewable energy, etc.
In sharp contrast to this, the NAPCC, just talks about the importance of
benchmarks for enforcement and monitoring and sets no targets.
However, the fact that the Prime Minsters Council on Climate Change is
driving the project, and the nodal ministry for the project is the Ministry of
External Affairs is heartening. Prime ministers special envoy for the nuclear
deal, and former foreign secretary Shayam Saran is also the designated special
envoy and leader of the Core Team for international climate negotations.
A senior official at the Prime Ministers Council on Climate Change says,
Currently, the ministries are working on the detailed structure under the NAPCC
that has to be presented to the Coucil. It might happen in another two to three
months. There is little doubt then that this deadline of December, 2008 has
already been missed.
Though on the brighter side, there is some hope that the NAPCC is still
evolving and maybe would take a better shape. Experts claim that India has
something to boast aboutat least on paper.
Mark Rumacres, honorary senior fellow, TERI, makes an apt conclusion: There
is a lot at stake. A controversial project of this scale involving the US and
other important European countries, and the fact that the government is in its
last quarter, are very significant points. Things should become clear on where
India stands only once the elections are over.
Clearly, reversing the climate change will require India to redfine global
arrangements and equations.
Urvashi Kaul
urvashik@cybermedia.co.in
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