Greenhouse Gases

The Minister of state (I/C) for Environment and Forests Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan stated in Lok Sabha today that a National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was released by Government of India on June 30, 2008 to outline India’s strategy to meet the challenge of Climate Change. The NAPCC includes eight Missions, out of which National Solar Mission, National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Green India Mission and National Mission on Sustainable Habitat contain policy initiatives and actions having co-benefits in terms of reduction of greenhouse gases. The objective of National Missions is to support India’s policies for sustainable development, inter alia, by way of promotion of energy efficiency, appropriate mix of fuels and primary energy sources including renewable sources, efficient transport etc.

In reply to a question The Minster informed the House that India has actively participated in the international negotiations conducted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in close coordination with members of G77 and China and put forth argument that developed countries should implement their commitments and take actions to reduce emissions in accordance with the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities’ as enshrined in the UNFCCC.

Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan further stated that Planning Commission has constituted an Expert Group in January 2010 to prepare a ‘Low Carbon Strategy for Inclusive Growth’ and evaluate alternatives for low carbon strategy through cost-benefit analysis. The Expert Group has prepared an Interim Report in May 2011 covering five sectors namely Power, Transport, Building, Industry and Forestry.