UPSC Articles
Nov 2: COP26 – Need for Climate Equity – https://youtu.be/et6U2Qn6oys
TOPIC:
- GS-3: Climate Change
Need for Climate Equity
Context: PM Narendra Modi addressed COP26 World Leaders’ Summit in Glasgow where he made a critical pitch for climate action and stood for the nations of the developing world. While delivering his National Statement on India’s behalf, PM Modi also presented 5 commitments from India towards climate action at COP26.
India’s Commitment
- Taking its non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030
- Fulfilling 50 percent of its energy requirements through renewable energy by 2030
- Bringing down carbon intensity of its economy by more than 45%.” by 2030
- Cut down its net projected carbon emission by 1 bn tonnes from now until 2030.
- Achieve the target of ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2070
India has been pushing for climate Equity in terms of actions which need to be taken by the developed countries to achieve climate and energy goals.
- In fact, according to the Climate Equity Monitor which tracks various aspects of climate change, countries including the US, Russia, Australia and most European nations have exceeded their fair share of the global carbon budget whereas India, China and countries from Africa and South America have consumed less than their fair share.
- The carbon debt values for developed countries clearly indicate their responsibility and the massive carbon debt they owe the world.
World should Focus on Adaptation
Adaptation does not get as much importance in the Global climate debate as Mitigation. This is an injustice to developing countries, which are more affected by climate change.
- Climate is a major challenge for farmers in most developing countries, including India–
- The cropping pattern is changing,
- Crops are being destroyed by untimely rains and floods, or frequent storms
- From drinking water sources to affordable housing, all of these need to be made resilient against climate change.
Focus on Adaptation: We need to make adaptation a key part of our development policies and projects. Projects like ‘Nal se Jal’- Tap water for all, ‘Swachh Bharat’- clean India Mission and ‘Ujjwala’- clean cooking fuel for all in India, have not only provided adaptation benefits to our needy citizens but have also improved their quality of life.
Living in harmony with nature: Secondly, many traditional communities have adequate knowledge of living in harmony with nature.
- These traditional practices must be given due importance in our adaptation policies.
- This flow of knowledge must also be included in the school syllabus so that it is passed on to the new generation.
- Preservation of lifestyles in compliance with the local conditions can also be an important pillar of adaptation.
Method of Adaptation: The methods of adaptation may be local, but backward countries should get global support for them. With the idea of global support for local adaptation, India had taken the initiative of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure CDRI.
Can you answer the following questions?
- Paris Climate Deal: India’s Progress, Pandemic and Challenges
- IPCC report on Climate Change
