India's climate action plan for 2035 to be out by year-end: Environment Minister, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced that India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2035 will be finalized and released by the end of the year.
• The announcement was made at the COP30 climate conference in Belém.
• India will also release its first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR), as mandated under the Paris Agreement.
• India has already achieved its previous NDC targets for 2030 ahead of schedule.
• India's non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity is around 256 GW, accounting for more than half of its total electric store capacity (500 GW).

Detailed Insights:

• NDCs are climate action plans that outline efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts, updated every five years with progressively higher targets.
• BTRs are a reporting mechanism for countries to provide information about their greenhouse gas emissions, progress on NDC targets, adaptation efforts, climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building.
• India's emission intensity has declined by over 36% since 2005, demonstrating that development and environmental stewardship can advance together.
• The 2035 NDC will be announced after getting clearance from the Union Cabinet.
• India, the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is expected to play a key role in global climate action.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Climate action plans outlining efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
• Biennial Transparency Report (BTR): A report on greenhouse gas emissions, progress on NDC targets, and climate actions.
• Paris Agreement: An international agreement to combat climate change.