Latest news with #NDCs
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
India's climate action guided by national circumstances, MoEFCC tells Lok Sabha
New Delhi: India submitted its first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)— the climate action plans that countries submit under the Paris Agreement— in 2015 and updated it in August 2022, and has already achieved 50% share in non-fossil fuel power electricity generation installed capacity, the union environment ministry told Lok Sabha on Monday. The ministry also said that the country is well on track to achieve its other quantitative targets. Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state for environment, made the statement in response to a question by Congress MP Harish Chandra Meena. (Sansad TV) Under the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)'s resolutions, all country parties are required to prepare and communicate their NDCs every five years based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDRRC) and national circumstances, Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state for environment, said in response to a question by Congress MP Harish Chandra Meena. India's climate action is guided by its own national circumstances, NDC and the Long-Term Low Carbon Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) to achieve net-zero by 2070 and Initial Adaptation Communication, the minister said. Meena had asked: whether the Government defaulted in submission of its updated National Determined Contribution (NDC) by the February, 2025 deadline under Paris Agreement; if so, the reasons for the delay along with the new deadline fixed for the same; and if not, the details of latest climate action plan and the steps taken to fulfill international obligations? 'It (India's climate strategy) provides the overarching framework for all climate actions and comprises of missions in specific areas of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable lifestyles based on the precepts of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) sustainable habitat, water, sustaining Himalayan ecosystems, Green India, sustainable agriculture, human health and strategic knowledge for climate change,' it said. 'All these Missions are institutionalised and implemented by their respective Nodal Ministries/Departments, Further, thirty-four States/Union Territories (UTs) have prepared their State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC) in line with NAPCC taking into account the State specific issues relating to climate change. The responsibility of the implementation of the SAPCCs rests with the respective States. In addition, the Government of India has launched various schemes and programs to scale up India's climate action. The Government has taken various steps, and stands committed to fulfil its international obligations,' he added. India's overarching goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 (becoming a developed country by 2047) is of paramount importance and the country's climate actions should align with that, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said in an interview to HT on June 5, explaining India's stand on climate change negotiations in the midst of geopolitical disruptions. India is currently in the process of formulating its first comprehensive National Adaptation Plan (NAP), a strategic initiative to enhance the country's resilience to climate change. NAP represents a major step forward in aligning adaptation planning with India's national development priorities and global climate commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. The core objective of the NAP is to protect lives, ecosystems, and livelihoods by supporting: understanding of current and future climate risks and vulnerabilities ; identifying medium- and long-term priorities for climate adaptation ; and establishing systems, policies, measures and capacities to ensure strengthened adaptation planning, budgeting and implementation, he said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Brazil chooses one of its poorest regions for UN climate talks, here's why
Source: Bloomber The upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in November is set to be unlike any other. For the first time, world leaders, scientists, activists, and business executives will gather in Belem, Brazil, a city located on the edge of the Amazon rainforest and grappling with poverty and environmental challenges. Unlike past host cities such as Paris, Dubai, or Bali—known for their luxury and tourist appeal—Belem was deliberately chosen to highlight climate vulnerability, deforestation, and socioeconomic inequalities. Organisers hope the unique venue will focus global attention not just on emissions targets but also on creating climate solutions that benefit developing nations and frontline communities. Why Belem was chosen for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) COP30 President-Designate Andre Corrêa do Lago emphasised that choosing Belem is a symbolic decision. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva believes climate negotiations must confront real-world challenges head-on, rather than being discussed in insulated luxury settings. 'You are going to see a developing city, with infrastructure challenges and high poverty rates, set against one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth,' do Lago said. The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the 'lungs of the planet,' is central to discussions on climate change mitigation and biodiversity preservation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo By hosting COP30 in Belem, Brazil aims to directly link climate policies with poverty reduction and forest conservation. How Belem's location reflects the urgency and challenges of COP30 Location and infrastructure challenges – COP30 will be held in Belem, Brazil, which is already struggling with infrastructure and accommodation. The city's high hotel prices, lack of enough rooms, and the use of cruise ships to host delegates highlight how climate negotiations intersect with real-world social and economic issues. Key focus on climate action – COP30 is an important milestone for the Paris Agreement, where countries must update their climate action plans (NDCs) to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The event emphasises urgent global cooperation to limit warming to 1.5°C. Symbolism of Belem – Choosing Belem, a city near the Amazon rainforest and marked by poverty, symbolises the need to connect climate action with social justice, deforestation control, and sustainable development. COP30 pushes for $1.3 trillion climate finance to support vulnerable nations Another key priority is climate finance. The $1.3 trillion annual funding roadmap is under discussion to help vulnerable nations adapt to climate impacts and shift to clean energy as reported by Associated Press (AP). Developing countries argue that they contribute the least to global emissions yet suffer the most from floods, droughts, and rising sea levels. COP30 aims to strengthen commitments for equitable financial support, ensuring no country is left behind in the climate transition. Amazon protection and nature-based solutions take center stage at COP30 The Amazon rainforest, spanning multiple countries but largely within Brazil, is a critical carbon sink. Its deforestation, however, has reached alarming levels, at times turning parts of the Amazon into net carbon emitters. COP30 will prioritize: Halting illegal deforestation Restoring degraded ecosystems Incentivizing sustainable land use practices Strengthening indigenous land rights This focus aligns with the growing recognition that nature-based solutions are essential to achieving climate targets. Adding momentum, the United Nations' top court recently declared that access to a clean and healthy environment is a basic human right. This ruling strengthens arguments that states have a legal duty to reduce emissions and protect ecosystems. According to court President Yuji Iwasawa: 'Failure of a state to take appropriate action to protect the climate system may constitute an internationally wrongful act.' This legal shift could influence COP30 negotiations, pushing countries toward stronger and enforceable climate commitments. Vision for COP30 : A 'Summit of Solutions' Do Lago envisions COP30 as a turning point: 'We hope to be remembered as the COP of solutions, where people realized climate action creates opportunities and growth rather than sacrifice.' By holding the summit in Belem—where poverty, deforestation, and climate risk intersect—organizers aim to keep discussions grounded and outcomes impactful. The success of COP30 will depend not only on emissions pledges but also on innovative solutions, equitable financing, and a shared vision for a sustainable global future. Also Read | Rare flesh-eating bacteria kills 4 in Florida: Here's what you need to know about Vibrio vulnificus
India Today
3 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Are corporates quietly leading India's climate transition? A researcher's perspective
Almost every day, we scroll past at least one news headline about climate change. Yet, how many of us truly grasp the magnitude of the risk it poses, not just to our environment, but to our economies, financial systems, and the corporate world? This is not just an environmental issue; it is a full-blown financial reckoning. And opinions about the depth and breadth of climate-related risks differ markedly across stakeholders, from heads of state and bureaucrats to fund managers and business RISK IS NOW A BUSINESS RISKTake, for instance, an eye-opening survey conducted in 2021 by Professors Johannes Stroebel and Jeffrey Wurgler of the NYU Stern School of 861 finance professionals, regulators, academics, and economists, they found that 73% of private sector professionals believed climate risks are undermined (underpriced) in financial markets, compared to 51% among academicians. The disparity in perception itself reveals a key challenge -- the market has yet to fully internalise climate risk. But how, one might ask, are climate and finance interlinked in the first place? What does 'climate risk' actually mean in financial terms?Is it merely the spectre of floods, droughts, and natural disasters? Or is there more to the story? The answer lies in the policy shifts playing out on the national is a committed signatory to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has made ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including a pledge to source 50% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by certainly. But for corporates, these noble climate pledges translate into hard compliance mandates, tighter disclosures, and operational restructuring, in essence, a new breed of operational the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework mandated by SEBI for the top 1000 listed companies in must now disclose granular details about their energy consumption, carbon emissions, and sustainability practices. Climate compliance is no longer a corporate social responsibility initiative; it is gradually becoming a strategic pressure doesn't emanate solely from regulators. A more environmentally conscious breed of investors, consumers, and civil society actors are demanding surge in sustainable and responsible investing (SRI) is proof that environmental stewardship now carries market consequences. The upshot of all this?Companies are increasingly exposed to 'transition risk', i.e., the financial and operational fallout from a rapid move toward greener norms, policies, and runs parallel to 'physical risk', the traditional category encompassing the direct impact of climate-related disasters like cyclones, droughts, and extreme these twin risks are reshaping the contours of corporate decision-making in India. To empirically assess this behavioral shift, we conducted a comprehensive study of 1174 listed non-financial firms in India spanning 2005 to aim was simple yet urgent: Are Indian companies adapting to climate risk? If so, how? Our findings, recently published in Energy Economics, offer compelling energy consumption, which accounts for nearly 41% of total national energy usage (MoSPI 2021), is already being recalibrated in response to climate observed that firms facing higher climate vulnerability are significantly reducing their energy consumption. This isn't coincidental but a clear response to regulatory, reputational, and financial this response is asymmetric. Energyintensive firms are leading the charge, likely because they have more to lose from non-affiliated firms (those not part of large business groups) and those with robust corporate governance mechanisms show stronger climate quality plays a crucial role in steering firms toward long-term sustainability strategies, while business group affiliation may cushion the perceived impact of climate threats, thereby dulling the urgency to shift became more pronounced after the 2016 Paris Agreement, marking a tipping point in how Indian firms interpret and respond to climate policy course, reducing energy consumption is not without trade-offs. Firms face a strategic dilemma: inaction invites regulatory penalties and investor backlash, while aggressive energy cuts can impair productivity, output, and EFFICIENCY EMEREGES AS A STRATEGIC BUSINESS RESPONSEOur research reveals that firms are not merely cutting back; they are pursuing a strategic middle path, i.e., improving energy investing in technology upgrades and process optimisation, they are learning to generate more output with the same or lower energy not only mitigates emissions but also improves cost efficiency and long-term resilience. Notably, markets appear to be taking that demonstrate better energy efficiency attract higher valuations, suggesting that capital markets are beginning to reward green behaviour, an encouraging signal for the future of ESG investing in finds itself at a crossroads. As per the ND-GAIN index, it ranks 115th out of 187 countries in climate vulnerability. At the same time, it is poised to become the thirdlargest global over 76% of its energy needs in 2021 were met by coal and crude oil. This dichotomy, between environmental fragility and developmental urgency makes the role of Indian businesses absolutely state alone cannot carry the climate burden. The baton must also be passed to industry, not just to react, but to lead. Our research shows that this leadership is already emerging quietly and unevenly, but undeniably. While global climate diplomacy continues to be marred by political deadlock and insufficient commitments, as evidenced by India's rejection of the $300 million annual climate grant at COP29, terming it 'too little, too late', the real action may be unfolding catalyse this movement, government and regulatory support must keep disclosures, streamlined access to green finance, and predictable policy frameworks are critical to support companies that are willing to walk the talk.(THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CO-AUTHORED BY SHASHANK PRAKASH SRIVASTAV, DOCTORAL SCHOLAR, AND PROFESSOR M. KANNADHASAN, BOTH FROM THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT RAIPUR)- Ends
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Strengthening preparedness through sustained climate leadership
The climate crisis consistently amplifies weather-related disasters and vulnerability by undermining resilience-building efforts. The World Meteorological Organization projects that by 2100, extreme droughts could affect twice as many people, especially in the Global South, while shrinking water storage threatens rural livelihoods and drives migration. Sea level rise may endanger assets worth 20% of global GDP, with coastal flooding intensifying in Europe and Asia. Rising temperatures could expose 500 million more people to diseases like malaria by 2050, as biodiversity loss and urbanisation boost disease vectors. Wildfire seasons may extend by three months in vulnerable areas, and the most severe tropical cyclones are projected to occur twice as often under a 2.5°C warming scenario. Climate crisis. (AFP) Developing countries are at a critical juncture, facing both pressing development needs and the climate crisis challenges. Their development priorities include poverty alleviation, infrastructure expansion, health care, and education. As they strive for economic growth, the developing countries are also vulnerable to climate-related risks. This dual challenge demands integrated strategies that align climate resilience with inclusive development. It should be supported by adequate financing, technology transfer, and global cooperation. Countries have several international frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, to harmonise climate crisis policies across countries, which will facilitate institutional coordination to implement climate-resilient strategies. The Climate Change Performance Index 2025, prepared by Germanwatch, reveals that no one country is doing enough to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. It monitors countries' climate actions in four categories: greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy use, and climate policy. According to Oxfam, the G20 is responsible for approximately 78% of GHG emissions, and these emissions are projected to increase by 10.6% by 2030. It also emphasises that the richest G7 and G20 countries must further strengthen their domestic climate action and significantly increase climate finance commitments. Many governments face significant challenges in advancing climate action due to limited political will, inadequate financial resources, and weak institutional coordination. Several studies have found that adaptation initiatives, such as early warning systems in countries like India and Bangladesh, have shown improvement. However, they lack sufficient integration of structural and social preparedness across policy sectors. Governments have demonstrated leadership by updating their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which include phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and scaling up renewable energy sources. NDCs reinforce global commitments, demonstrating that each country is committed to achieving the SDGs. It was supported by institutional leadership provided by UNDP's Climate Promise. For instance, all NDCs supported through it include energy-related goals or policies, while 90% also incorporate the agriculture sector. Achieving these goals not only addresses the climate crisis but also advances sustainable development objectives, such as improving energy access and ensuring food security. The IPCC, WMO, and UNFCCC continue to lead and support efforts by generating scientific consensus, facilitating dialogue, and monitoring global progress. G20 leadership in climate crisis action is crucial to meeting the 1.5 ℃ target. High-income G20 countries provide financial and technological support to lower-income countries in this effort. However, leadership in climate action is not just about formulating target goals and action plans. Most importantly, it is about delivering ambitious emission reduction targets, executing integrated strategies that address climate risk alongside national development, and strengthening international cooperation. Leadership with accountability to deliver promises requires implementing reports from independent climate commissions, regular stocktakes, and carbon pricing tools, among other measures. The OECD 2021 report states that local governments lack the authority and resources to implement adaptation plans at the local level. Local-level leadership in cities, municipalities, regions, and states is where the implementation of climate targets needs to be strengthened. These sub-national governments are at the forefront of addressing climate-related challenges. Local governments play a crucial role in achieving long-term sustainability through measures that promote low-emission and climate-resilient development. It cannot be done without empowering the local governments. Local leaders play a crucial role in translating climate goals into concrete actions, effectively bridging the gap between national commitments and implementation at the community level—through a global network of local governments that connects policy, knowledge sharing, and learning from one another. For example, the Climate Group's Under2Coalition of subnational governments seeks to accelerate policy adoption and enhance implementation by sharing global insights on successful and unsuccessful approaches. Others include America is All In, the UN-Habitat, the C40 global network of mayors, and the Global Covenant of Mayors. Addressing the climate crisis depends majorly on effective climate leadership delivering timely action with a commitment to fairness and concrete implementation. To secure a climate-resilient future, governments must strengthen their leadership, integrate systemic risk into national planning, and scale up comprehensive disaster and climate risk management across sectors. This requires aligning National Adaptation Plans and development strategies with robust risk analytics, inclusive governance, and measurable targets. Investing in resilient, low-carbon infrastructure and nature-based solutions is crucial, as is leveraging innovative, risk-informed financing and engaging the private sector to drive sustainable development. Empowering communities, primarily through gender equality, social protection, and a renewed social contract, is vital to ensure no one is left behind. Finally, public awareness must be driven by science-based communication, impact-based early warnings, and accessible climate information to shift behaviours and reduce vulnerabilities. This article is authored by Mehdi Hussain, former research associate, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Paris Agreement under pressure as climate goals falter ahead of COP30: WWF
GENEVA: The Paris Agreement, once a symbol of rare global unity, is increasingly at risk of losing its transformative power if world leaders continue to stall on delivery, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. With only a few months to go before the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) convenes in Brazil, alarm bells are sounding, as the world is not doing enough, and the consequences are fast approaching. Under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, countries must regularly develop national plans of action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deal with the impacts of the climate crisis. These are called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). But ahead of COP30, only slightly over 20 countries have submitted their NDCs out of 198 member states. For WWF, the agreement still holds weight – but only just. ADVERTISING "The Paris Agreement has great political significance and is symbolic of unprecedented global unity on climate change. "Even if not all countries are meeting their goals yet, it does help shape laws, policies and public expectations. "But it is undeniably under stress," Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, the leader of WWF's global climate and energy work, told Anadolu. That stress, he said, comes from a gap between ambition and delivery, particularly from the countries with the most responsibility and capacity to lead. "Before the Paris Agreement, scientists estimated global warming would reach 3.5 °C above pre-industrial levels by 2100. "But if all climate plans committed to by countries so far are implemented, we are looking at more like 2.1 °C. "So this is significant progress and shows that coordinated action works, but clearly it is not enough." "The emissions pathways and climate trajectory have fundamentally shifted in the past decade. "Now it is the economy, science and social demand that will continue to move this process forward. "We have to keep our focus. We cannot afford to be distracted. And climate action must remain at the top of political agendas." The delays, Pulgar-Vidal said, are not accidental; they are driven by deep, systemic challenges that continue to weigh down meaningful action. "Turmoil in geopolitics, economic pressures, and the persistent, yawning gap between climate finance promises and delivery, lack of political will to fulfil existing climate commitments and to implement climate action addressing systemic changes needed, i.e., committing to timelines to phase out fossil fuels, coal, oil and gas, for example." "Many developing countries want to be ambitious with their actions but need concrete support to get there." The international community, he said, must not underestimate the power of people and civil society to shift the trajectory – especially in the critical months leading up to COP30. "Whether it be deadly heat waves, raging wildfires or floods, the climate crisis negatively affects people and nature all over the world. "People need to continue to demand strong action on climate change and the protection of nature. "WWF, with many other NGOs in the environmental sector, acts to hold governments accountable and also helps identify solutions," he said. Citing the WWF's latest report on engagement at COP30 and beyond, Pulgar-Vidal argued that civil society participation at COPs "must go far beyond symbolic attendance." "It requires active, inclusive and influential engagement in negotiations and decision-making," he stressed. As countries prepare to update their climate commitments ahead of COP30 in Belem, expectations are high for major emitters to act decisively. But according to WWF, it's not just about adding renewables but about replacing fossil fuels entirely. WWF argued that simply scaling up renewable energy isn't enough. With global energy demand still rising, renewables often end up adding to, rather than replacing, fossil fuels. Their recently published policy paper outlined a clear message to governments: true climate progress requires a full transition away from fossil energy, not just cleaner additions to the mix. "So WWF is calling for a complete phase-out of all fossil fuels before 2050, with developed countries taking the lead," Pulgar-Vidal said. "This is in line with the Global Stocktake, which contains the latest updates to the Paris Agreement." He urged COP30 to define a timeline for phasing out fossil fuels with the respective milestones. WWF's report Phasing Out Fossil Fuels through NDCs 3.0, which was published on June 20, provides government policymakers with a concrete example of what this could and should look like. With the clock ticking, WWF is urging political leaders to use 2025 as a tipping point, not another missed opportunity. "While the transition to a more sustainable future is now underway at unprecedented levels, it needs to accelerate even more. "We must use this landmark year to strengthen multilateralism to enable global climate action at scale. "We must accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and into renewables and enhance climate action urgently while helping build resilience in the most impacted communities," Pulgar-Vidal said. Through initiatives like the NDCsWeWant campaign, WWF said it aims to equip policymakers with concrete strategies that meet both environmental and economic needs. Since 2018, WWF has offered governments guidance and support on developing and implementing NDCs. "WWF works directly with governments through many channels, but especially with our NDCsWeWant campaign, providing recommendations for policymakers on key elements we think are essential to be included in national climate plans," he said. "We also provide practical tools that can enhance economic development, improve energy security and protect communities." He warned that "without considerable emissions reductions in the next few years, we will overshoot the long-term 1.5 °C threshold in the next decade." "We will then face the even greater challenges and costs of bringing temperatures back down to below that level," he added. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, there is an 80 per cent chance that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will be warmer than the warmest year on record, currently 2024. And there is an 86 per cent chance that at least one year will be more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level.
