Government committed to sustainable development and low carbon transition: MoS Choubey

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change  Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Monday said the government is committed for sustainable development and low carbon transition across key economic sectors, which has reflected the fair contribution to the global efforts for combating climate change.

The Minister said in a response to a question over global warming in the Lower House of Parliament.

The Minister said, “India is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement (PA), which provide a global framework for countries to collectively address climate change.

He added that the Government has submitted its Nationally Determined Contributions under PA for combating climate change.

These include, inter alia, quantified targets pertaining to reduce the emissions intensity of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 level, to achieve about 40 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030, and to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 through additional forest and tree cover by 2030,” the minister said in a reply.

Talking about the government’s efforts in implementing the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), the Minister said, “NAPCC comprises of National Missions in specific areas of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, water, agriculture, Himalayan eco-system, sustainable habitat, green India and strategic knowledge on climate change”.

He added that 33 States and Union Territories have prepared State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) consistent with the objectives of NAPCC.

Giving detail over the education awareness programme on global warming and climate, he said various projects have been undertaken at all levels by all concerned ministries and departments, inducing schools and educational institutions.

“The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 formulated by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) emphasizes environmental protection and generating awareness amongst school students and teachers”.

The Minister said Environmental concerns and concepts, including climate change, have been incorporated in the curricula developed by the NCERT.

The minister said under the two major programmes, National Green Corps (NGC) and National Nature Camping Programme (NNCP) more than 1 Lakh Eco-clubs have been formed in schools and colleges to educate students and to spread awareness on environmental issues including climate change aspects.

The mantra of L.I.F.E (Lifestyle for Environment) shared by India at the 26th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 26), propagates the values of mindful and deliberate utilisation as opposed to destructive consumption, creating a movement for three Ps – “Pro Planet People” he informed.