Parliament Question: – Strategy for meaningful climate action
Parliament Question: – Strategy for meaningful climate action
The Government is implementing National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which is the overarching framework for climate actions. One of the guiding principles of NPACC is on protecting the poor and vulnerable sections of society through an inclusive and sustainable development strategy that is sensitive to climate change.
The NAPCC comprises of national missions in specific areas of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, water, agriculture, Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, green India, human health and strategic knowledge on climate change. Six of its nine missions focus on adaptation for enhancing climate resilience of vulnerable communities. All these missions are institutionalized and implemented by their respective Nodal Ministries/Departments through various schemes and programs across many sectors including water, health, agriculture, forest and biodiversity, energy, housing, etc. 34 States have also prepared their Station Action Plans on Climate Change consistent with the NAPCC.
Under the Paris Agreement, India has submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with one of quantified targets on creation of an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
The implementation of various afforestation and forest restoration activities, aimed towards creation of additional forest and tree cover, are taken up by involving local communities and through the participation of Joint Forest Management Committees established at village levels. Additionally, the fulfillment of National Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments across diverse sectors is carried out collaboratively by various Ministries and Departments, engaging a range of stakeholders, including State Governments.
National Mission for a Green India (GIM) is one of the missions outlined under the NAPCC. It aims at protecting, restoring, and enhancing India’s forest cover and responding to Climate Change by undertaking plantation activities in the forest and non-forest areas in the selected landscapes.
The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) has been launched to restore and promote mangrove as unique, natural eco-system and for preserving and enhancing sustainability of the coastal habitats. The program envisages covering approximately 540 sq. km area across nine coastal States and four Union Territories, promoting carbon sequestration and climate resilience.
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India launched the campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ #Plant4 Mother, on the World Environment Day on 5th June 2024 to promote pro-planet activity by citizens. Till date, more that 100 crore saplings have been planted.
As per the India’s third National Communication submitted to UNFCCC in 2023, additional carbon sink of 1.97 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent has been created during 2005 to 2019.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.