Climate Action Plan
Climate Action Plan
The Government is in the process of finalising its post-2020 Climate Action Plan to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In light of the decision of Conference of Parties held in Lima in 2014, whereby all Parties have to communicate their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) well in advance of the twenty-first session of the Conference of Parties, by 1st October 2015 in a manner that facilitates clarity, transparency and understanding of the intended nationally determined contributions, Government of India has undertaken an elaborate multi-stakeholder consultation process for finalizing its INDCs for submission ahead of the expected date. A series of consultative meetings have been held with various ministries, think tanks, institutions, industry associations, NGOs and Civil society in this regard.
India has been advocating a strong and ambitious outcome in Paris in accordance with the principle and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It has been highlighting the strong domestic initiatives of the new government on climate change. India has been coordinating with the G-77 and China, BASIC (Brazil, India, China and South Africa) group of countries and the Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) for ensuring an equitable, comprehensive and balanced agreement in Paris.
India has been advocating a strong and ambitious outcome in Paris in accordance with the principle and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It has been highlighting the strong domestic initiatives of the new government on climate change. India has been coordinating with the G-77 and China, BASIC (Brazil, India, China and South Africa) group of countries and the Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) for ensuring an equitable, comprehensive and balanced agreement in Paris.
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Endangered Species
India ranks among the top ten species rich nations in the world and is known for its rich biological diversity and high endemism. Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) under the Ministry carry out surveys and documentation of biological resources including threatened and important species of the country. Survey and exploration of different geographical areas of the country has resulted in a repository of about three million National Reference Collections of plant specimen.
The Indian flora accounts for about 11.4% of the total recorded plant species of the world. As per BSI, India has about 47, 791 species of plants comprising Virus/Bacteria (1, 071), Algae (7, 309), Fungi (14, 936), Lichens (2, 434), Bryophytes (2, 531), Pteridophytes (1, 274), Gymnosperms (77) and Angiosperms (18, 159) already identified and classified so far.
Studies conducted by ZSI have recorded over 96,000 species of animals from India. Among these, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed 18 species of amphibians, 14 fishes, 13 bird species and 10 mammals as critically endangered; 310 species as endangered, including 69 fishes, 38 mammals and 32 amphibians. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has been enacted for protection of wild animals, birds and plants against hunting and commercial exploitation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up for control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products. The National Biodiversity Act, 2002, also ensures protection of threatened plant species and their habitats. Under the provisions of Biodiversity Act 2002 the threatened species are identified state wise. MoEF has already issued notifications to this effect for 14 states viz., Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Mizoram, Orissa, Meghalaya, Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Tripura.
The State/UT Government carry out census of key species like elephant, rhino, lion etc. However, tiger census is carried out at the national level.
The Indian flora accounts for about 11.4% of the total recorded plant species of the world. As per BSI, India has about 47, 791 species of plants comprising Virus/Bacteria (1, 071), Algae (7, 309), Fungi (14, 936), Lichens (2, 434), Bryophytes (2, 531), Pteridophytes (1, 274), Gymnosperms (77) and Angiosperms (18, 159) already identified and classified so far.
Studies conducted by ZSI have recorded over 96,000 species of animals from India. Among these, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed 18 species of amphibians, 14 fishes, 13 bird species and 10 mammals as critically endangered; 310 species as endangered, including 69 fishes, 38 mammals and 32 amphibians. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has been enacted for protection of wild animals, birds and plants against hunting and commercial exploitation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up for control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products. The National Biodiversity Act, 2002, also ensures protection of threatened plant species and their habitats. Under the provisions of Biodiversity Act 2002 the threatened species are identified state wise. MoEF has already issued notifications to this effect for 14 states viz., Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Mizoram, Orissa, Meghalaya, Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Tripura.
The State/UT Government carry out census of key species like elephant, rhino, lion etc. However, tiger census is carried out at the national level.
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Use of Clean Fuel
The Government is aware that imposing Bharat-IV norms across India and subsequent imposition of Bharat-V and/or VI norms will greatly help in providing a cleaner environment. The universalisation of Bharat Stage (BS)-IV norms will reduce sulphur content of the fuel to 50 ppm and the implementation of BS-V / BS-VI emission norms will further reduce the sulphur content to 10 ppm and will improve the ambient air quality. Presently BS-IV norms have been implemented in 63 cities covering 15 States including Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR).
The steps taken by the Government to expedite the process of transition to cleaner fuels in the country, inter alia, include:
• Introduction of emission standards for flex fuel ethanol (E 85) and ethanol (ED 95) vehicles by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,
• Introduction of 5% ethanol gasoline fuel blends across the country by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG),
• Constitution of working group on bio-fuels and Hydrogen Corpus Fund by MoP&NG,
• Introduction of alternative fuels like CNG, LPG and bio-diesel (B20),
• Progressive tightening of the emission norms, along with supply of commensurate fuel quality.
The steps taken by the Government to expedite the process of transition to cleaner fuels in the country, inter alia, include:
• Introduction of emission standards for flex fuel ethanol (E 85) and ethanol (ED 95) vehicles by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,
• Introduction of 5% ethanol gasoline fuel blends across the country by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG),
• Constitution of working group on bio-fuels and Hydrogen Corpus Fund by MoP&NG,
• Introduction of alternative fuels like CNG, LPG and bio-diesel (B20),
• Progressive tightening of the emission norms, along with supply of commensurate fuel quality.
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Clean Development Mechanism
The National Clean Development Mechanism Authority (NCDMA) has accorded Host Country Approval (HCA) to 2, 940 projects. These projects are in the sectors of energy efficiency, fuel switching, industrial processes, municipal solid waste, renewable energy and forestry which spread across the country (covering all states/UTs in India), out of which 1,578 projects from India have been registered under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The NCDMA receives projects for approval under the modalities and procedures of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) as developed by the Executive Board of CDM of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It approves CDM projects that meet the national sustainable development priorities and comply with the statutory and regulatory frameworks.
The Government regularly undertakes capacity-building initiatives and supports CDM projects through workshops, seminars and other activities in collaboration with the industry associations and project proponents in the private and public sector. Several bilateral and multi-lateral funding agencies are also involved in the exercise. CDM Tool Kit was developed in 2007 to promote CDM activities. However, after the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ended in 2012, CDM market has been dormant due to lack of demand by developed countries.
The NCDMA receives projects for approval under the modalities and procedures of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) as developed by the Executive Board of CDM of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It approves CDM projects that meet the national sustainable development priorities and comply with the statutory and regulatory frameworks.
The Government regularly undertakes capacity-building initiatives and supports CDM projects through workshops, seminars and other activities in collaboration with the industry associations and project proponents in the private and public sector. Several bilateral and multi-lateral funding agencies are also involved in the exercise. CDM Tool Kit was developed in 2007 to promote CDM activities. However, after the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ended in 2012, CDM market has been dormant due to lack of demand by developed countries.
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Plantation of Trees
The Government plans to increase tree plantation in the forest areas of the country. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is implementing National Afforestation Programme, NAP, for tree plantation in degraded forests at pan-India level through peoples’ participation and has also launched the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), which aims to increase forest & tree cover on 5 million ha area and to improve quality of forest cover on another 5 million ha area.
An area over 2 million hect has been afforested with an investment of about Rs.3545 crore under NAP since its launching year 2000. The fund under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), interalia, is also used in plantation activity including compensatory afforestation. Besides, afforestation being the multi-departmental effort, is also taken up under centrally sponsored MGNREGA Scheme, Integrated Watershed Management scheme, National Bamboo Mission and various State Plan & Non-Plan Schemes.
As per the information received from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, at present, plantation of trees along the National Highways is done as per the codal provisions of Indian Roads Congress (IRC:SP:21-2009).
An area over 2 million hect has been afforested with an investment of about Rs.3545 crore under NAP since its launching year 2000. The fund under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), interalia, is also used in plantation activity including compensatory afforestation. Besides, afforestation being the multi-departmental effort, is also taken up under centrally sponsored MGNREGA Scheme, Integrated Watershed Management scheme, National Bamboo Mission and various State Plan & Non-Plan Schemes.
As per the information received from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, at present, plantation of trees along the National Highways is done as per the codal provisions of Indian Roads Congress (IRC:SP:21-2009).
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Green Climate Fund
The Government has established the National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change (NAFCC) with a budget provision of Rs. 350 Crores for the year 2015-16 and 2016-17, with an estimated requirement of Rs. 181.5 Crores for financial year 2017-18. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has been appointed as National Implementing Entity (NIE) under the NAFCC.
NABARD has been accredited by Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board as one of the National Implementing Entity (NIE) for GCF in India. According to the GCF Board document, NABARD as one of the NIEs of the Green Climate Fund is responsible for management and oversight of project implementation, which includes the origination and preparation of a funding proposal, the subsequent management of the necessary stages of the implementation process until its conclusion (project management) on behalf of GCF, and reporting obligations. Other institutions meeting the GCF requirements and standards have also applied for accreditation as NIE for GCF in India.
NABARD has been accredited by Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board as one of the National Implementing Entity (NIE) for GCF in India. According to the GCF Board document, NABARD as one of the NIEs of the Green Climate Fund is responsible for management and oversight of project implementation, which includes the origination and preparation of a funding proposal, the subsequent management of the necessary stages of the implementation process until its conclusion (project management) on behalf of GCF, and reporting obligations. Other institutions meeting the GCF requirements and standards have also applied for accreditation as NIE for GCF in India.
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Pollution by Cement Industries
The Government is aware of the fact that cement industries are major source of pollution in the country. The cement industries have been categorized as highly polluting industries by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The main pollutants emitted from cement industries include Particulate Matter, Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).
To prevent and control pollution from cement industries, CPCB conducts surprise inspection of cement industries under its Environmental Surveillance Squad programme to assess the compliance status with respect to the prescribed emission/effluent norms. Directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986 are issued to the non-compliant industries and under section 18(1)(b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) to direct industries to comply with the stipulated norms. Further, the cement industries have also been directed to install on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices for better monitoring of compliance by CPCB and SPCBs.
In August, 2014 Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified revised emission norms for Particulate Matter and also introduced emission norms for SO2 and NO2 for cement industry.
To prevent and control pollution from cement industries, CPCB conducts surprise inspection of cement industries under its Environmental Surveillance Squad programme to assess the compliance status with respect to the prescribed emission/effluent norms. Directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986 are issued to the non-compliant industries and under section 18(1)(b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) to direct industries to comply with the stipulated norms. Further, the cement industries have also been directed to install on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices for better monitoring of compliance by CPCB and SPCBs.
In August, 2014 Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified revised emission norms for Particulate Matter and also introduced emission norms for SO2 and NO2 for cement industry.
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Sewage Treatment Plants
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has carried out an inventorization exercise of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) for the country in the year 2014-15. According to their report published in March 2015, 522 STPs having a total capacity of 18883.20 mld (million litres per day) are operational, 79 STPs having a total capacity of 1237.16 mld are non-operational and 145 STPs having a total capacity of 2528.36 mld are under construction in 28 States and Union Territories (UTs) in the country.
As per the report of CPCB of August 2013, performance evaluation was carried out of 152 STPs constructed under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), out of which 63 STPs were complying with the prescribed standards, 32 STPs were not operational, 48 STPs were not complying with the prescribed standards and 9 STPs were under construction. The State Governments and implementing agencies take corrective measures to ensure adherence to standards of treatment and discharge, which include proper operation and maintenance, back-up power arrangements, etc.
CPCB has also issued directions under Section 18 1(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 in April, 2015 to all State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees to make mandatory for local/urban bodies to set up STPs of adequate capacity and provide underground sewerage system to cover the entire local/urban areas and to bridge the treatment capacity gap as well as enforcement of consent management in line with standards for sewage treatment.
As per the report of CPCB of August 2013, performance evaluation was carried out of 152 STPs constructed under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), out of which 63 STPs were complying with the prescribed standards, 32 STPs were not operational, 48 STPs were not complying with the prescribed standards and 9 STPs were under construction. The State Governments and implementing agencies take corrective measures to ensure adherence to standards of treatment and discharge, which include proper operation and maintenance, back-up power arrangements, etc.
CPCB has also issued directions under Section 18 1(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 in April, 2015 to all State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees to make mandatory for local/urban bodies to set up STPs of adequate capacity and provide underground sewerage system to cover the entire local/urban areas and to bridge the treatment capacity gap as well as enforcement of consent management in line with standards for sewage treatment.
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Himalayan Ecology
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change accords high priority to protection and development of Himalayan ecosystem. The need for sound environmental policy for the Himalayan Region has been made from time to time by several stakeholder organisations. Several initiatives have been taken for protection and development of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). Launching of the Central Sector Grant-in-aid Scheme on National Mission on Himalayan Studies in 2015 by this Ministry, is further envisaged to provide much needed focus in addressing the key issues relating to conservation as well as enhancement and sustainable management of natural resources in the IHR.
The Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization has been supported by the Department of Science and Technology with an objective to build popular opinion for a common road map to restore health of Himalaya by involving community and research institutes and to review the status of different resources in Himalaya, i.e. forest, water, soil, glaciers etc., and to assess the current livelihood practices and explore other possibility, especially Eco-preneurship. Further, studies undertaken in different parts of Himalaya by various organizations including the G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development have indicated increasing threats to Himalayan Ecology due to fragility of Himalayan Ecosystem and various anthropogenic activities
The Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization has been supported by the Department of Science and Technology with an objective to build popular opinion for a common road map to restore health of Himalaya by involving community and research institutes and to review the status of different resources in Himalaya, i.e. forest, water, soil, glaciers etc., and to assess the current livelihood practices and explore other possibility, especially Eco-preneurship. Further, studies undertaken in different parts of Himalaya by various organizations including the G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development have indicated increasing threats to Himalayan Ecology due to fragility of Himalayan Ecosystem and various anthropogenic activities
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