The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
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- Apledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East
- Bplan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change
- Ccapital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
- Dplan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals
Show answer
Answer: (B) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change
Answer: (b) Plan of action outlined by countries to combat climate change
INDCs (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) are climate action plans submitted by countries under the UNFCCC before the Paris Conference (COP21, December 2015).
Each country set its OWN targets based on capabilities - hence 'Nationally Determined.'
India's INDC highlights:
- Reduce emission intensity of GDP by 33-35% by 2030;
- Achieve 40% electric power from non-fossil fuels by 2030;
- Create additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes through forest cover.
Why not the others?
(a) Refugee rehabilitation - INDCs are about climate, not refugees.
(c) AIIB capital - Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is unrelated.
(d) SDGs plan - SDGs are a separate UN initiative (Agenda 2030).
After Paris Agreement was adopted, 'Intended' was dropped and they became just 'NDCs' (Nationally Determined Contributions).
INDCs were climate action plans countries submitted before the landmark Paris Agreement was finalized at COP21 in December 2015.
The Paris Agreement introduced a new 'bottom-up' approach where each country sets its own climate targets based on national capabilities, unlike previous top-down international climate treaties.
UPSC is testing whether students can distinguish between different multilateral initiatives - climate action plans versus refugee policies, development banks, and SDGs.
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs)
Environment Intended Nationally Determined Contributions INDCs
INDCs: Climate Action Plans Under Paris Agreement
INDCs are climate action plans submitted by countries before Paris COP21 (2015)
Each country sets own targets based on national capabilities - hence 'Nationally Determined'
India's INDC: 33-35% emission intensity reduction by 2030
After Paris Agreement adoption, 'Intended' was dropped → became NDCs
What are INDCs
INDCs are climate action commitments that countries submitted to the UNFCCC before the Paris Climate Conference in December 2015. Unlike top-down binding targets, each country designed its own plan based on national circumstances and capabilities.
India's Key INDC Targets
Target Area | Commitment | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
Emission Intensity | Reduce by 33-35% of GDP | By 2030 |
Clean Energy | 40% electric power from non-fossil fuels | By 2030 |
Carbon Sink | Create additional 2.5-3 billion tonnes through forest cover | By 2030 |
Key Features
Voluntary nature: Countries determine own targets, not imposed externally
Bottom-up approach: Unlike Kyoto Protocol's top-down binding commitments
Differentiated responsibilities: Developed vs developing country commitments vary
Transparency mechanism: Regular reporting and review process built-in
Question Connection
This question tests recognition that INDCs are specifically climate action plans under UNFCCC framework. The trap options mention refugees, AIIB, and SDGs - all major policy areas but unrelated to climate commitments.
Don't confuse INDCs with SDGs - both are UN initiatives but different frameworks
AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) is about development finance, not climate
After Paris Agreement, INDCs became NDCs - 'Intended' was dropped
India's target is emission intensity reduction (per unit GDP), not absolute emissions
Paris Agreement & COP21
Environment Paris Conference COP21
Paris Agreement: Landmark Climate Deal of 2015
COP21 held in Paris, December 2015 - adopted Paris Agreement
Goal: Limit global warming to well below 2°C, pursue 1.5°C
Bottom-up approach - countries set own targets (NDCs)
Entered into force November 2016 after ratification threshold met
What is Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty adopted at COP21 in December 2015. It replaced the Kyoto Protocol with a more flexible framework where all countries participate based on nationally determined contributions.
Key Provisions
Element | Commitment | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
Temperature Goal | Well below 2°C, pursue 1.5°C | Global stocktake every 5 years |
Mitigation | NDCs by all countries | Ratcheting up ambition over time |
Adaptation | Global adaptation goal | National adaptation plans |
Finance | $100 billion/year by 2020 | Climate finance from developed countries |
Transparency | Enhanced transparency framework | Common reporting standards |
India's Role & Position
CBDR-RC principle: Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities upheld
Per capita emissions: India emphasizes low per capita emissions vs developed countries
Development space: Maintained right to grow while being climate responsible
Technology transfer: Stressed need for climate technology access
COP21 = Paris 2015, not to be confused with COP26 Glasgow 2021
Paris Agreement is legally binding but NDCs are nationally determined
$100 billion climate finance target was set earlier, reaffirmed in Paris
1.5°C target was compromise between vulnerable nations and major emitters
UNFCCC Framework & COPs
Environment UNFCCC
UNFCCC: Global Climate Negotiation Framework
UNFCCC adopted at Rio Earth Summit 1992 - parent climate treaty
COP = Conference of Parties - annual climate negotiations
Kyoto Protocol (1997) → Paris Agreement (2015) evolution
COP26 Glasgow (2021) focused on implementation
UNFCCC Structure
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the parent treaty adopted at Rio Summit 1992. It provides the basic legal framework for international climate cooperation, with Conference of Parties (COP) as its decision-making body.
Major Climate Agreements Evolution
Agreement | Year | Key Feature | Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
UNFCCC | 1992 | Framework treaty | Voluntary commitments |
Kyoto Protocol | 1997 | Binding emission targets | Top-down for developed countries |
Paris Agreement | 2015 | Universal participation | Bottom-up NDCs for all |
UNFCCC Bodies & Mechanisms
# UNFCCC
## Governing Bodies
- Conference of Parties (COP)
- Subsidiary Body for Implementation
- Subsidiary Body for Scientific Advice
## Financial Mechanisms
- Green Climate Fund
- Adaptation Fund
- Global Environment Facility
## Key Principles
- Common But Differentiated Responsibilities
- Precautionary Principle
- Polluter PaysRecent COP Outcomes
COP26 Glasgow (2021): Glasgow Climate Pact, coal 'phase down' language
COP27 Sharm el-Sheikh (2022): Loss & Damage fund established
COP28 Dubai (2023): Global Stocktake, transition away from fossil fuels
UNFCCC is the framework, Kyoto & Paris are protocols/agreements under it
COP numbers indicate years since UNFCCC came into force (1995), not calendar years
Don't mix IPCC (scientific assessment) with UNFCCC (policy negotiations)
Common But Differentiated Responsibilities ≠ respective capabilities - both are needed
India's Climate Change Commitments
Environment
India's Climate Strategy: Balancing Growth & Environment
India is 4th largest emitter globally but low per capita emissions
Panchamrit announced at COP26: 5 climate commitments by 2030
Net Zero by 2070 target announced at Glasgow
National Action Plan on Climate Change has 8 missions
India's Climate Position
India balances climate responsibility with development needs. Despite being a major emitter in absolute terms, India's per capita emissions remain much lower than developed countries. The approach emphasizes emission intensity reduction rather than absolute cuts.
Panchamrit: India's 5 Climate Commitments (COP26)
Commitment | Target | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
Non-fossil energy capacity | 500 GW | By 2030 |
Renewable energy share | 50% of energy requirements | By 2030 |
Carbon emission reduction | 1 billion tonnes | By 2030 |
Emission intensity reduction | 45% below 2005 levels | By 2030 |
Net Zero | Carbon neutrality | By 2070 |
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
# NAPCC - 8 Missions
## Energy
- National Solar Mission
- Enhanced Energy Efficiency
## Natural Resources
- Sustainable Habitat
- National Water Mission
- Green India Mission
## Adaptation
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Himalayan Ecosystem
- Strategic KnowledgeKey Policy Initiatives
Perform, Achieve & Trade (PAT): Energy efficiency trading scheme for industries
Renewable Purchase Obligations: States must buy minimum renewable energy
National Clean Energy Fund: From coal cess for clean energy projects
FAME scheme: Electric vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure
India's target is emission intensity (per unit GDP), not absolute emissions
Panchamrit = 5 commitments at COP26, not the original INDC at COP21
Net Zero by 2070 is 20 years later than most developed countries (2050)
NAPCC has 8 missions, launched in 2008 under UPA government