India’s INDC builds on its goal of installing 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2022 by setting a new target to increase its share of non-fossil based energy from 30 per cent today to about 40 per cent by 2030.
The country also commits to reduce by 2030 its emissions intensity per unit GDP by 33 to 35 per cent below 2005 levels and to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 through additional tree cover. The plan also prioritizes efforts to build resilience to climate change impacts and gives a broad indication of the amount of financing necessary to reach its goals.
Here are five major takeaways on India’s new INDC:
- It Sets a Clear Signal for Clean Energy
Achieving its target of about a 40 per cent share of non-fossil energy sources by 2030 would result in at least 200 GW of new renewable capacity. However, if India achieves its previously announced goal of 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022 – mostly from solar – much of this capacity will come sooner. The 2022 target is extremely ambitious (the world’s entire installed solar power capacity was 181 GW in 2014) and clearly positions India as a major renewable energy player. With approximately 900 GW of estimated renewable capacity and favorable economic conditions, these targets can be met as long as financing and policy barriers are overcome.
... - Its Emissions Intensity Target Could Go Further
India’s emissions intensity (CO2 emissions per unit of GDP) declined by approximately 18 per cent between 1990 and 2005, and the country has already committed to reduce it by another 20-25 per cent from 2005 levels by 2020. The new INDC target commits India to go further – 33-35 per cent from 2005 by 2030.
... - It Will Sequester Carbon by Increasing Forest Cover
India’s INDC recognizes the importance of aggressively restoring forest cover in a manner consistent with supporting livelihoods. Creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 through additional forest and tree cover would require average annual carbon sequestration to increase by at least 14 per cent over the next 15 years relative to the 2008-2013 period. With the Green India Mission expected to deliver 50-60 per cent of the required total, India needs to provide further detail on how it plans to achieve the rest. The INDC notes the importance of financing to address implementation challenges.
- Adaptation Is a Key Priority
As a country exceptionally vulnerable to climate change, there is heavy focus on adaptation and resilience in India’s INDC. It highlights current initiatives in sensitive sectors, including agriculture, water, health and more, and points toward plans under development in each state. While India currently spends 3 per cent of its GDP on adaptation, the INDC noted that enhanced investment in these activities will require additional support through domestic and international funds. The country estimates it will need 206 billion dollars for the period 2015-2030, with additional investments needed for disaster management.
- Policies Are Detailed while Targets Remain Vague
While India’s INDC lays out its existing climate measures in detail, it falls short on a number of the elements of transparency mentioned in a decision made at the Lima climate talks last December.
These include a lack of clarity on emissions intensity in the base year (2005) and target year (2030), as well as the scope and coverage of the intensity target and the methodologies for measuring it. This information is crucial for monitoring progress towards India’s target and for understanding how it contributes to the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius.
No comments:
Post a Comment