What is India's Long-term, Low-emission Development strategy?

Climate Kahani: India presented its long-term, low-emission development strategy to the United Nations.
With this, India joins the elite list of 60 countries that have so far submitted their strategy to the UNFCCC.

India has presented its long-term low-emissions development strategy to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27).

The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupendra Yadav, who is leading the Indian delegation, launched the long-term low-emissions development strategy.

Key Points: Long-term, Low-emission Development Strategy

• Low carbon development of electricity systems consistent with development.
• Develop an integrated, efficient, inclusive low-carbon transport system.
• Promote adaptation in urban design, energy and material efficiency in buildings, and sustainable urbanization.
• Promote economy-wide decoupling of growth from emissions and development of an efficient, innovative low-emission industrial system.
• CO2 removal and related engineering solutions.
• Enhancing Forest and vegetation cover consistent with socioeconomic and ecological considerations.
• Economic and financial aspects of low-carbon development.

In Detail: Long-term, Low-emission Development Strategy

The transition from fossil fuels

Special attention will be paid to the rational use of national resources keeping in view energy security. The transition from fossil fuels to other sources will be done in an equitable, simple, sustainable, and all-inclusive manner.

The rapid expansion of green hydrogen production, increase in electrolyzer manufacturing capacity in the country, and tripling of nuclear capacity by 2032 are some of the other goals envisaged for the overall development of the power sector.

India aspires to maximize the use of electric vehicles, blending up to 20 percent ethanol by 2025 and bringing about a paradigm shift in the mode of public transport for passengers and freight.

Urbanization

The process of urbanization will continue due to our present relatively small urban base. Sustainable and climate-sustainable urban development in the future will be driven by Smart City Initiatives.

Industrial sector

Demonstration, Achievement, and Trade (PAT) plan, National Hydrogen Mission, higher levels of electrification in all relevant processes and activities, recycling to enhance material efficiency and expand the circular economy, and others in difficult sectors such as steel, cement, aluminum, and others. The focus will be on improving energy efficiency through exploring alternatives etc.

Forest cover

India has a strong record of increasing forest and tree cover over the last three decades along with high economic growth. The incidence of forest fires in India is well below the global level, while the country's forest and tree cover is a net sink absorbing 15 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in 2016. India is on track to meet its NDC commitment of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of additional carbon sequestration through forest tree cover by 2030.

Climate Finance

The provision of climate finance by developed countries will play a very important role and should be substantially enhanced, mainly in the form of grants and concessional loans from public sources, in accordance with the principles of the UNFCCC, to ensure the scale, scope, and speed.

The said document has been prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in consultation with all relevant Ministries and Departments, State Governments, research institutions, and civil society organizations.

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