New Delhi:India made bold promises to the Prime Minister in 2021, placing climate change at its core of its environmental policies Narendra ModiAt the crucial international summit COP 26, the country claimed that it was the only one to fulfill in spirit and letter the Paris Agreement promises.
India was the leader in environmental issues this year, winning attention from all corners of the globe, with pledges to become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2070 and 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030.
India again pointed out at the UN Climate Meeting that developed countries have not only failed in meeting the USD 100 Billion goal per year of support to developing countries since 2009, but continue to show it as the ceiling of their ambitions all the way through 2025.
Modi addressed world leaders at the United Nations COP 26 in Glasgow. He listed five Indian commitments to combat climate change. Modi boldly announced that India will reach net zero emissions by 2070. It will also achieve 500 giga watts non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030. Modi also stated that India will meet half of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030.
India also launched One Sun, One World, One Grid at the conference. This was an attempt to harness solar energy wherever it shines, and ensure that electricity flows to the areas most in need.
Several nations criticized the country for allegedly reducing the global commitment of reducing coal use in the climate pact that was adopted at COP26. The country used the term phase out instead of phase out in the Glasgow pact.
India responded to the criticism by denying making the amendment. It claimed that it had only viewed the text at COP26, and not authored it.
India also raised the issue of climate change mitigation at the 16th G20 Summit in Naples. It urged the G20 to reduce per capita emissions to the global average by 2030, in view of rapidly-depleting carbon space.
Bhupender Yadav was the Union Environment Minister and led the Indian delegation to the climate summit in Glasgow. He spoke to PTI and said that India had successfully represented the developing countries and made a strong case for them.
Yadav highlighted and praised the efforts of his ministry in curbing stubble burning, stating that they were more successful this year than 2020.
TS accreditation. 47 sites were declared Ramsar protected sites. 10 beaches received Blue Flag certification. We also established a commission to address Delhi’s pollution. We also brought a new legislation. We amended the biodiversity laws and NCAP regional conferences have started in Mumbai and Guwahati.|TS accreditation, 47 sites have been declared as Ramsar protected sites, 10 beaches have got Blue Flag certification We have established a new commission for Delhis pollution for which we brought a new legislation, we have amended the biodiversity and wildlife laws, regional conferences under NCAP have begun in Mumbai and Guwahati. We will do it all across India.
The public consultation and process of getting public opinion on the amendment to Forest Conservation Act has been completed. He said that we have been more successful in curbing stubble-burning this year than the previous year.
The government took many initiatives in 2015 to tackle the problem of toxic air in the capital city and its surrounding areas.
India entered into Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue with the US under India and US Climate Clean Energy Agenda 2030. This dialogue was intended to give both countries the opportunity to renew their collaborations on climate change and to address the financing aspects.
After a bill passed by Parliament, the Commission for Air Quality Management was created. It initially provided for penalties for farmers who cause pollution by burning stubble. This provision was later withdrawn.
To decompose stubble left over from harvest, a bio-decomposer was developed in the city and nearby states.
India also launched the Plastic Hackathon 2021 in an effort to eliminate single-use plastics from the country by 2022.
Environment activists were disappointed that the Supreme Court gave its approval to the ambitious Central Vista Project of the government. They claimed that the project was harmful to the environment and an invasion of public places.
In 2021, several reports also made the headlines, bringing India’s pollution and climate situation under closer scrutiny.
The Sixth Assessment Report Climate Change 2021 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes. The Physical Science Basis stated that the Indian Ocean was warming faster than other oceans. India will see increased heat waves and heavy rainfall, which are the irreversible effects climate change.
A Swiss agency prepared the World Air Quality Report. It found that 22 of 30 most polluted cities are located in India. Delhi was ranked 10th and the most polluted capital in the world.
Greenpeace India’s April report revealed that Delhi experienced a 125% increase in nitrogen dioxide-related air pollution in April, compared to the same month last years.
Another report stated that 39 lakh Indians were forced to flee their homes in 2020 by conflict and climate disasters. This makes India the fourth-worst-hit country in the globe.
The Centre for Science and Environment reported that Ozone is being increased in Delhi and the National Capital Region, (NCR), during all seasons.
Soon after the report was published, the government ratified the Kigali Amendment to allow India to phase down hydrofluorocarbons. This is in accordance with the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer.
It is a shameful attempt to erase India’s rich heritage.
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