New Delhi: In a declaration in 2009, India announced a voluntary goal of reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20–25%, over 2005 levels, by 2020, despite having no binding mitigation obligations as per the Convention. Subsequently, India in its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has announced its intention to reduce emission intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 subject to availability of requisite means of implementation.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mr Anil Madhav Dave, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on July 18, 2016.
The minister also mentioned that the slew of policy measures were launched to achieve this goal. As a result, the emission intensity of GDP has reduced by 12% between 2005 and 2010 and the same has been reported in India’s First Biennial Update Report (BUR). The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in its Emission Gap Report (year 2014), has recognized India as one of the countries on track to achieve the voluntary pre-2020 pledge.
A greenhouse gas is any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere. By increasing the heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases are responsible for thegreenhouse effect, which ultimately leads to global warming.
India had maintained its stand for an ambitious and durable agreement based on the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). The principle of CBDR-RC is the underlying theme of the Paris Agreement. India has agreed that the developed countries should take lead in this regard and the specific needs and special circumstances of the developing country parties, which are vulnerable to the effects of climate change should be recognized. India has also insisted that the developed countries should meet their commitments during the pre-2020 period through ambitious targets and actions.
