Cabinet approves updated NDCs to fight climate change

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New Delhi, August 3

The Union Cabinet today approved India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), incorporating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Panchamrit” strategy announced at the Glasgow conference into enhanced climate targets.

According to the updated NDC, India now stands committed to reducing emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 per cent by 2030 from the 2005 level, and achieving about 50 per cent of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. The update is also a step towards achieving India’s long-term goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2070.

The NDCs means national plans and pledges made by a country to meet the goal of maintaining global temperature increases to well below 2 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while aiming for 1.5 degree Celsius to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

At the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) last November, PM Modi had announced that India’s non-fossil energy capacity would reach 500 GW by 2030.

The updated NDC seeks to enhance India’s contribution towards strengthening of global response to the threat of climate change, as agreed under the Paris Agreement.

Such action will also help India usher in low emissions growth pathways. It would protect the interests of the country and safeguard its future development needs based on the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC, according to an official statement.

Today’s approval also takes forward the Prime Minister’s vision of sustainable lifestyles and climate justice to protect the poor and the vulnerable from the adverse impacts of climate change.

The updated NDC also represents the framework for India’s transition to cleaner energy for the period 2021-30.

‘Panchamrit’ in focus

• The approval translates PM Modi’s ‘Panchamrit’ announced at COP26 into enhanced climate targets
• It’s a step towards achieving India’s long-term goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2070

Nod to Rs 305/quintal sugarcane FRP

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved a fair and remunerative price (FRP) of sugarcane for 2022-23 (October-September) at Rs 305 per quintal for a basic recovery rate of 10.25%. It provided a premium of Rs 3.05 per quintal for each 0.1% rise in recovery over and above 10.25%.