Climate Action and NDC’s
On October 28, the 2024 Nationally Determined Contributions Synthesis Report was released. It assessed the so-far effectiveness of the NDCs to foresee the possibility of achievement of the 2030 goals set by the Paris Agreement. The information assessed was of 168 NDCs from 195 nations part of the Paris Agreement. The main goal was to limit the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius and preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
On this occasion, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell had urged nations to end the inadequate efforts and accelerate the actions to better achieve the set goals by the set time. Citing the multidimensional benefits of effective climate action initiatives such as socio-economic, health, and other benefits. He stated, “Current plans combined—if fully implemented—would see emissions of 51.5 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2030—a level only 2.6 percent lower than in 2019.”
What does the report say?
According to the NDC Synthesis Report, 2024, “The almost stagnant level of the aggregate effect of NDC implementation since the previous version of this report highlights an urgent need for either a significant increase in the level of ambition of NDCs between now and 2030 or a significant overachievement of the latest NDCs, or a combination of both.” This shows that nations plans to cut down emissions and limit the global temperature are falling short of results and require them to step up their efforts drastically.
Where does India stand?
It is important to understand the position of India in achieving these goals. Indian initiatives to lessen the carbon emissions in the country include the National Solar Mission, the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Movement, etc. However, based on the cautions arising from the UN, it is high time that India also advances its climate action.
Measures to be taken
Nations need to adopt different measures to advance their actions, such as including climate change as a dimension in all types of policy decisions and implementation, long term strategies for climate action, strong laws to be introduced to limit the exploitation and unsustainable practices, encouraging citizens active role in climate action through various measures of support, and improving research and development from not just a scientific perspective but a social science perspective too. And much more direct initiatives in saving the natural spaces.
However, the measures suggested by the UN were to boost renewable energy, reinforcing the adaptation, and fastening the achievement of low-carbon economies by all nations.
