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Climate Change: Domestic Actions & Global Geopolitics ​

UPSC Mains PYQs
  • NDC Targets & Panchamrit (2022): "India's updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) reflect its high ambition under the Paris Agreement." Discuss India's 'Panchamrit' commitments declared at COP26 and analyze the structural policies (like National Green Hydrogen Mission) implemented to achieve these goals. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
  • Climate Finance & Loss and Damage (2023): "Developed countries have repeatedly failed to mobilize the promised $100 billion annual climate finance." Discuss the significance of the Loss and Damage Fund operationalized at COP28 and examine the geopolitical friction surrounding its capitalization and management. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
📊 High-Yield Data & Statistical Fact Sheet
  • National Climate Action & Targets:
    • Panchamrit Net-Zero Target: Committed to achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2070 and installing 500 GW of non-fossil power capacity by 2030.
    • NDC Carbon Intensity: Target to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 relative to the 2005 level.
    • Current Non-Fossil Share: Non-fossil capacity crossed 190 GW, exceeding 43% of India's total power capacity.
    • Green Hydrogen Objective: National Green Hydrogen Mission targets producing 5 MMT of green hydrogen annually by 2030, reducing 50 MMT of CO2 emissions.
    • Global Finance Baseline: COP29 set a new collective target of mobilizing $300 Billion annually by 2035 for developing nations.

Non-Fossil Mix

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Emission Intensity Trend (Baseline = 100)

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1. DOMESTIC CLIMATE REGULATORY INITIATIVES ​

  • NAPCC (8 National Missions): Coordinates national climate action across specialized areas including the National Solar Mission, National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (using the PAT - Perform, Achieve and Trade scheme for industries), and National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture.
  • Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023: Establishes the statutory framework for the Indian Carbon Market (ICM). Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) acts as the administrator, and Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) acts as the market regulator.
  • PM-KUSUM Scheme: De-dieselizes agricultural water pumps by solarizing over 30 Lakh irrigation pumps to reduce rural emissions.
  • Methane Stance: India did not sign the Global Methane Pledge (targeting a 30% cut by 2030) to safeguard the livelihoods of 15 Crore dairy farmers and agricultural food production systems.

2. GLOBAL CLIMATE GEOPOLITICS & FRICTION POINTS ​

  • CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism): The EU's carbon border tax (ranging from 20% to 35%) on imports of carbon-intensive goods (steel, cement, aluminum, fertilizers) starting in 2026. This acts as a trade barrier for Indian exports.
  • Article 6 of the Paris Agreement:
    • Article 6.2: Framework for bilateral carbon credit transfers between countries.
    • Article 6.4: Creates a centralized UN-governed global carbon market to trade emission reduction certificates.
  • Loss and Damage Fund: Operationalized at COP28 to provide financial assistance to developing nations suffering from irreversible climate impacts (e.g., sea-level rise, glacier melt). Capitalization remains low, and the World Bank's interim hosting has faced criticism.

3. NATURE-BASED ADAPTATION & MITIGATION ​

  • Biochar Pyrolysis: Thermal decomposition of agricultural residue in oxygen-depleted chambers. Locks carbon into stable organic forms in soils, reducing stubble burning emissions while enhancing soil water-retention capacity.
  • Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) Mapping: Spatial zonation databases designed to track soil carbon sinks and verify carbon sequestration credits.
  • FACE (Free-Air Carbon Enrichment): High-fidelity forest experiments releasing controlled carbon dioxide streams into canopy plots to study the carbon-absorption capacities of mature trees.

Non-Fossil Installed Capacity (GW)

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Emissions Intensity Reduction Trend (Baseline = 100)

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QUICK REVISION BOX ​

  • Net-Zero Target Year: 2070.
  • Non-Fossil Capacity Target (2030): 500 GW.
  • NDC Emissions Intensity Reduction Target: 45% by 2030.
  • National Carbon Market Framework: Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023.
  • EU Trade Barrier Tax: CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism).
  • Paris Carbon Market Mandates: Article 6 (6.2 and 6.4).
  • Soil Carbon Lock-In Tech: Biochar Pyrolysis (Agricultural residues).

Notes updated up to March 2026. Sources: BEE Guidelines, UNFCCC COP Decisions.

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