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Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
India's new NDCs must take private sector along
As governments around the world update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) on climate action, there is a significant opportunity for the India's government and its private sector to raise ambition and accelerate implementation together. From the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008 to the NDC in 2015 and its update in 2022, India has steadily signalled its commitment to play a leading role in addressing the climate crisis. Its 2035 NDC goals, expected to be announced in the run-up to COP30 in Brazil, can signal a new approach — one that places businesses and the private sector at the centre of India's climate journey. In several cases, government signals enabled private sector investment and progress (Bloomberg) India's first NDC in 2015 formalised its climate goals in the global arena, with a commitment to reduce emissions intensity by 33–35% by 2030 and achieve 40% of power capacity from non-fossil sources. The subsequent NDC (2022) raised the pledge to reduce emissions intensity by 45% and create 50% cumulative generation capacity from renewables. India also declared a net zero target year of 2070. India's official climate strategy was strengthened by a similar movement in the private sector when over 125 Indian companies adopted Science-Based Targets. Many voluntarily set net zero targets ahead of the national 2070 deadline, backed by internal carbon pricing, green finance mechanisms, and renewable energy efforts. In this context, 2025 offers India a historic opportunity to craft a 2035 roadmap that signals higher ambition based on a strategy that integrates the government's vision with that of the private sector in the areas of energy transition across sectors as well as adaptation and creation of climate-resilient infrastructure. In a 2025 survey of Indian business leaders, 99% supported a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, with 84% calling for this shift within the next decade. India's green transition efforts are thus increasingly shaped by an 'ambition loop' where early business action strengthens regulatory confidence, which then catalyses further private sector ambition. This has already made Indian solar and electric vehicles (EVs) globally competitive. In several cases, government signals — such as reverse auctions in solar, the National Hydrogen Mission, the Perform, Achieve and Trade scheme — enabled private sector investment and progress. Zomato, for instance, accelerated the electrification of its delivery fleet, while Wipro and Infosys lead global net-zero alliances, actions centred not only on compliance but also on competitiveness and future-proofing. Similarly, regulatory signals such as climate disclosure frameworks from RBI and the Business Responsibility and Sebi's Sustainability Reporting Framework of have helped change corporate behaviour. Businesses have welcomed efforts by the government to develop a National Adaptation Plan to outline national priorities across regions and sectors, and identify necessary support for effective implementation. India's next NDC offers a critical opportunity to raise its climate ambition by integrating stronger implementation mechanisms, recognising progress in the private sector and exploring deeper partnerships. India's climate ambition must not come at the cost of development — it must drive it. Clean energy will help deliver energy security, lower the import bill (5% of the GDP), and create up to 35 million green jobs by 2047. Climate action is smart economics. Moreover, India's forests, wetlands, and agro ecosystems are critical buffers against climate shocks, offering both carbon sinks and climate resilience. India's next NDC should also recognise the role of Natural Climate Solutions (NCS), encourage corporate investment in forest restoration and biodiversity, and align adaptation priorities with business resilience strategies. Financing this transformation will require unprecedented mobilisation of both domestic and international capital. As per preliminary government estimates, achieving India's current NDC targets will require ₹ 162.5 trillion ($2.5 trillion) by 2030 — equivalent to ₹ 11 trillion ($170 billion) annually. Notably, climate finance in India has largely been domestically driven, with approximately 83% of flows originating from domestic sources. Bridging the gap — particularly for adaptation and nature-based solutions — requires a mix of accelerated domestic investments and significantly enhanced international support, making a strong case for an investment-ready NDC that includes quantified financing strategies and sectoral targets to help de-risk investments and catalyse both public and private finance at scale. India's G20 momentum, and the upcoming BRICS and COP30 platforms offer an opportunity to anchor climate ambition within broader national goals, including achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047, energy independence, and industrial competitiveness. Indian business has shown their willingness. Now we need bold government leadership to unlock its full potential. Andrew Prag is managing director (Policy), We Mean Business Coalition (WMBC), and RR Rashmi is distinguished fellow, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The views expressed are personal.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Green India Mission – what does it tell us about India's fight against land degradation that UPSC aspirants must know
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today Green India Mission, Land degradation and restoration. The Union Government on June 17 released a revised roadmap for the National Mission for Green India, also known as the Green India Mission. In addition to the core objectives of increasing and restoring forest and green cover, the mission will focus on restoration in the Aravalli ranges, Western Ghats, Himalayas and mangroves. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released the revised document for 2021-2030 period at Jodhpur at an event marking the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. In this context, let's know about the Green India Mission (GIM) and understand land degradation and desertification. 1. The National Mission for a Green India or GIM was launched in 2014 as one of the eight missions under India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Its main objective is to combat climate change by increasing forest and tree cover, and the ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems and forests. 2. It also aims to improve the livelihoods of communities dependent on forest produce. One of the core objectives of the mission was to increase forest and tree cover on 5 million hectares and improve the quality of forest cover on another 5 million hectares. 3. The activities under GIM are concentrated in states based on mapping of ecological vulnerability, potential for sequestration (the process by which plants and trees store carbon using photosynthesis), forest and land degradation, and restoration potential. 4. In the revised GIM plan, a central focus will be on the restoration and saturation of vulnerable landscapes through regionally conducive best practices. It will include area and landscape-specific restoration activities in three important mountain ranges – the Aravallis, the Western Ghats, and the Indian Himalayas, along with the mangrove ecosystems. For example, GIM interventions will be synced with the Centre's recently launched Aravalli Green Wall project. 5. The revised mission document also projected, based on estimates of the Forest Survey of India (FSI), that India could achieve a carbon sink of 3.39 billion tonnes, from the combination of all restoration activities. This will require an increase in forest and tree cover over an estimated 24.7 million hectares. With the revamped GIM emphasizing restoration and saturation of vulnerable landscapes, it's also important to understand, what is land degradation, and what are its key drivers? 1. According to the Convention on Combating Desertification- Land degradation means reduction or loss in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas of the biological or economic productivity and complexity of rainfed cropland, irrigated cropland, or range, pasture, forest and woodlands resulting from land uses or from a process or combination of processes, including processes arising from human activities and habitation patterns such as: soil erosion caused by wind and/or water; deterioration of the physical, chemical and biological or economic properties of the soil; long-term loss of natural vegetation. 2. Amitabh Sinha writes– 'A variety of factors, both natural and human-induced, are known to be affecting the productivity of land, and making them desert-like. Increasing populations and the resultant rise in demand for food and water, feed for cattle, and a wide variety of ecosystem services these offer, have prompted human beings to clear forests, use chemicals, cultivate multiple crops, and over-exploit groundwater. This has affected both the health and productivity of the land. Natural processes such as rising global temperatures increase the frequency and intensity of droughts, and changing weather patterns have put further pressure on the land.' 1. Land is an essential part of ecosystems. Ensuring healthy and productive land is vital for maintaining natural balance. Land restoration is crucial in this process. 2. According to the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD)- Land restoration is the ecological process to restore a natural and safe landscape for humans, wildlife, and plant communities. 3. Land restoration paves the way to protect our ecosystems, create economic development, help prevent natural disasters such as floods, and increase soil productivity and food supplies. In short, land restoration is vital if we are to protect the environment, build resilience to drought, and help feed a growing global population. 1. The 18th biennial State of Forest Report (ISFR-2023) was released by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in December last year at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. The ISFR is released biennially and involves forest cover mapping of the country using satellite data. 2. India's green cover has exceeded the 25% threshold with 8,27,357 sq km (25.17%) of the country now under forest (21.76%) and tree (3.41%) cover. Of this, 4,10,175 sq km is classified as dense forests. 3. The net forest cover has increased by 156.41 sq km between 2021 and 2023 taking the geographical area under forest cover to 21.76 per cent, a paltry rise of 0.05 per cent compared to the 2021 assessment. With the increase in the net forest area, the total area under the forest cover is now 7,15,342.61 sq km. 4. There is the sharpest growth in tree cover. It has increased from 2.91% in 2021 to 3.41% in 2023 leading to an increase of 1,285.4 sq km. 5. An assessment of forest cover across the Western Ghats was done for the first time. It showed that the area earmarked as eco-sensitive by the Centre lost 58.22 sq km of forest cover since 2013. Mangrove species have seen a decrease of 7.43 sq km in the country compared to 2021. 6. Among states, the maximum rise in forest and tree cover was seen in Chhattisgarh (683.62 sq km), followed by Uttar Pradesh (559.19 sq km), Odisha (558.57 sq km) and Rajasthan (394.46 sq km). On the other hand, the maximum decrease was seen in Madhya Pradesh (612.41 sq km), followed by Karnataka (459.36 sq km), Ladakh (159.26 sq km) and Nagaland (125.22 sq km). 7. Area-wise, the top three states with the largest forest and tree cover are Madhya Pradesh (85,724 sq km) followed by Arunachal Pradesh (67,083 sq km) and Maharashtra (65,383 sq km). (1) What is/are the importance of the ' United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification' ? (UPSC CSE 2016) 1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships. 2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of a major portion of financial resources to these regions. 3. It is committed to bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating the desertification. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (2) Consider the following: 1. Industrial and mining activities 2. Demographic pressure 3. Frequent Droughts 4. Deforestation How many of the above are the causes of land degradation? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (Sources: Revised Green India Mission plan: Centre to focus on Aravalli, Western Ghats restoration, India's net forest cover sees paltry rise of 156.41 sq km; decrease in mangroves and Western Ghats cover, Explained: How world is losing fertile land) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
All about the revised Green India Mission to increase forest cover, address climate change
The Centre on Tuesday (June 17) released a revised roadmap for the National Mission for Green India, also known as the Green India Mission (GIM). In addition to the core objectives of increasing and restoring forest and green cover, the mission will focus on restoration in the Aravalli ranges, Western Ghats, Himalayas and mangroves. The GIM is a key component of India's efforts to combat the effects of climate change. While the focus remains on improving forest cover, tackling land degradation and desertification will also feature prominently in the revised roadmap. GIM was rolled out in 2014 as one of the eight missions under India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Its core aim is to combat climate change by increasing forest and tree cover, and the ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems and forests. It also aims to improve the livelihoods of communities dependent on forest produce. More specifically, its objective was to increase forest and tree cover on 5 million hectares and improve the quality of forest cover on another 5 million hectares. Between 2015-16 and 2020-21, the mission facilitated tree plantation and afforestation activities across 11.22 million hectares (mha) of land, through central and state schemes. Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, the Centre released Rs 624.71 crore to 18 states for interventions under GIM and Rs 575.55 crore has been utilised, according to an Environment Ministry response tabled in Lok Sabha this February. Activities under GIM are concentrated in states based on mapping of ecological vulnerability, potential for sequestration (the process by which plants and trees store carbon using photosynthesis), forest and land degradation, and restoration potential. What does the revised roadmap entail? The Green India Mission document was revised to account for on-ground climate impacts and feedback received from implementing partner states and scientific institutions, environment ministry officials told The Indian Express. A central focus of the revised mission plan will be on the restoration and saturation of vulnerable landscapes through regionally conducive best practices. This will see area and landscape-specific restoration activities in three important mountain ranges – the Aravallis, the Western Ghats, and the Indian Himalayas, along with the mangrove ecosystems. For instance, GIM interventions will be synced with the Centre's recently launched Aravalli Green Wall project, aimed at combating the degradation and desertification in one of the world's oldest mountain ranges, which acts as a natural barrier against the Thar desert. Studies by the Wildlife Institute of India have revealed in the past that 12 gaps that exist within the Aravalli range have widened due to the loss of forests and degradation. These gaps have contributed to frequent sandstorms and dust pollution in the districts of Delhi-National Capital Region and even in Punjab. Under the Green Wall project, restoration works have been planned initially across 8 lakh hectares spanning 29 districts and four states. This would be done in forest areas, grasslands, water systems and their catchment areas, and through the plantation of native, locally conducive species. The project is estimated to cost Rs 16,053 crore and aims to create a buffer zone of 5 km around the mountain range, covering 6.45 million hectares. In the Western Ghats, where degradation, deforestation and illegal mining are prevalent, the GIM will push to conserve through afforestation, groundwater recharge and eco-restoration of abandoned mining areas. How will the revised GIM combat land degradation and desertification? Around a third of India's geographical area – 97.85 million hectares – underwent land degradation during 2018-19, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation's Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas. India aims to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide through additional forest and tree cover by 2030, according to its national commitments to tackle climate change submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate. The natural carbon sinks of forests, restored grasslands, wetlands, and mountain ecology will help offset greenhouse gas emissions and act as natural sponges and barriers in absorbing climate change impacts. India has also made an ambitious commitment to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. The GIM and allied interventions, such as the Green Wall project, are all designed to help meet these goals. During the 2005-2021 period, an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent has been created, as per an environment ministry statement made in the Lok Sabha this year. To restore large swathes of forests and degraded lands, restoration of impaired open forests is key, cost-effective and high-impact for CO2 sequestration, the revised GIM roadmap says, based on Forest Survey of India's (FSI) estimates. According to the FSI, this approach alone has the potential to sequester 1.89 billion tonnes of CO2 over approximately 15 million hectares. It also estimates that by aligning ongoing schemes and intensifying afforestation efforts, GIM can help India expand its forest and tree cover up to 24.7 million hectares. This would be enough to achieve a carbon sink of 3.39 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030, as per the FSI's projections. An award-winning journalist with 14 years of experience, Nikhil Ghanekar is an Assistant Editor with the National Bureau [Government] of The Indian Express in New Delhi. He primarily covers environmental policy matters which involve tracking key decisions and inner workings of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He also covers the functioning of the National Green Tribunal and writes on the impact of environmental policies on wildlife conservation, forestry issues and climate change. Nikhil joined The Indian Express in 2024. Originally from Mumbai, he has worked in publications such as Tehelka, Hindustan Times, DNA Newspaper, News18 and Indiaspend. In the past 14 years, he has written on a range of subjects such as sports, current affairs, civic issues, city centric environment news, central government policies and politics. ... Read More
India Gazette
02-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
India underscores urgency of glacial retreat at high-level summit in Tajikistan
By Dr. Chandan Kumar Dushanbe [Tajikistan], June 2 (ANI): In a significant diplomatic outreach, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, is leading a high-profile official visit to Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, aimed at deepening India's strategic, economic, and environmental partnerships in Central Asia. In Dushanbe, Singh attended the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation, where he delivered a strong message about the urgent threat posed by glacial retreat. Addressing the plenary session, Singh warned that the accelerating pace of glacial melt -- particularly in the Himalayas -- has become an 'immediate global crisis' with far-reaching consequences for water security, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of billions. Representing India at the climate-focused summit, Singh highlighted national efforts under the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) -- part of India's broader National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). He emphasized the importance of scientific research, citing the establishment of the Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies, which supports glacier monitoring and climate adaptation initiatives in the Indian Himalayan region. 'India is utilizing advanced Remote Sensing and GIS technologies, led by ISRO, to monitor glacier mass and dynamics,' Singh noted. These technological efforts are complemented by collaborations with key institutions such as the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), and the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE). In addition to environmental priorities, Singh stressed India's work in disaster mitigation, particularly in strengthening early warning systems and mapping risks from Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). He called for greater regional cooperation to build resilience and improve data-sharing to address growing climate threats to mountain ecosystems. On the diplomatic front, the Minister held bilateral meetings with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and other senior officials. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in defence, counter-terrorism, regional security, energy, and cultural exchange. Singh also engaged with the Indian diaspora in Tajikistan, recognizing their vital role in promoting people-to-people ties and India's cultural diplomacy. Following the Tajikistan leg, Singh will travel to Kyrgyzstan, where he is scheduled to meet the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister and senior government representatives to explore avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation. Key agenda items include trade, defence collaboration, regional connectivity, education, and technological innovation. The visit to Kyrgyzstan will culminate with Singh's participation in the IX Meeting of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP) Steering Committee, to be held on June 5-6 in Issyk-Kul. India's leadership at the GSLEP forum underscores its commitment to conserving fragile mountain ecosystems and protecting biodiversity, especially in the context of snow leopard habitats. India's relationship with both Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan dates back to the early 1990s, rooted in mutual concerns over regional security and expanded through sustained engagement in trade, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Singh's visit is being viewed as a key step in advancing India's 'Connect Central Asia' policy and reinforcing New Delhi's growing role as a strategic partner in the region. (ANI)
India Gazette
31-05-2025
- Science
- India Gazette
India reaffirms commitment to glacier preservation at high-level international conference in Dushanbe
New Delhi [India], May 31 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (EFCC), addressed the Plenary Session of the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation, held from May 29-31 in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the event brought together international experts, policymakers, and Ministers to deliberate on urgent actions needed to safeguard glaciers, which serve as critical freshwater reservoirs and indicators of climate change. In his address, Singh emphasised that the retreat of glaciers represents not only a warning but an immediate reality with far-reaching implications for water security, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of billions of people. Highlighting the global and regional consequences of glacial retreat, the Minister underscored that the phenomenon is accelerating, with disproportionate impacts on mountain regions such as the Himalayas. He reiterated India's deep-rooted concern, as a country intrinsically connected to the Himalayan ecosystem, and outlined a series of ongoing initiatives aimed at glacial monitoring and climate adaptation. Singh highlighted that India is undertaking strategic actions under the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) - a key component of India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) - as well as the establishment of a Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies, designed to advance research and monitoring of glaciers and glacial lakes in the Indian Himalayan Region. Further, it was stated that India is leveraging advanced Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to systematically monitor changes in glacier mass, extent, and dynamics. These efforts are further strengthened through coordinated research by key national institutions, including the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, and the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE). These initiatives are crucial to advancing scientific understanding of glacier systems and supporting data-driven policy formulation for the sustainable management of India's water resources. India has strengthened disaster preparedness in the Himalayan region through improved early warning systems and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risk mapping, coordinated by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Regional cooperation was underscored as vital for strengthening resilience, improving data-sharing frameworks, and fostering coordinated responses to the challenges facing mountain ecosystems, Singh informed. Addressing the global context, the Minister reaffirmed India's commitment to equity and the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) in international climate action. He emphasized that while South Asia contributes minimally to global cumulative emissions, it remains highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India continues to pursue an ambitious and balanced climate strategy. The country has made significant progress toward its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, achieving major milestones. It was emphasised that the need for differentiated and context-specific approaches to climate adaptation and mitigation, recognizing varying national circumstances, development needs, and historical responsibilities, is imperative. Concluding his address, the Minister welcomed the declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation and the Decade (2025-2034) of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, and called for enhanced global cooperation, shared scientific research and increased financial and technological support for developing countries. India stands ready to strengthen partnerships, share expertise, and contribute meaningfully to collective efforts to safeguard glaciers and ensure the resilience of our shared future. (ANI)
