Paris Agreement and India

What does the Paris accord mean for India?

The Paris accord, as agreed upon by member countries, sets the architecture for carbon emission reduction after 2020. 

• Parties to the conference agreed on pursuing long-term efforts to limit global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

It safeguards the principle of common but differentiated responsibility that has remained a non-negotiable aspect of India’s climate position. 

• This principle squarely puts the major responsibility on developed nations to drastically cut their carbon emissions and 
• provide the necessary finance, technology and capacity building for developing economies to mitigate and adapt to climate change. 

The Paris accord builds upon the bottom up approach of voluntary commitments or Intended Nationally Determined Commitments(INDCs) from both developed and developing countries. 

The accord urges parties to enhance their pre-2020 emission cuts and acknowledges the significant gap between current pledges and what is needed to be consistent with holding temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. 

• Countries are expected to submit revised INDCs by 2020, and every five years thereafter.

Commitment by India:-

• India will reduce emission intensity by 35%, 
• Build 40% capacity for power generation from non-fossil fuels, 
• Create additional carbon sink of 2.5 billion tonnes, 
• Invest in reducing vulnerability and enhancing adaptation to Climate Change.

Tax on coal at the rate of $6 per tonne, and which will be invested in Clean Environment.

Renewable energy programme of 175 GW. Already achieved 40 GW.

Distribution of 100 million LED bulbs