India slipping on climate change targets

Recommends cohesive and stronger international negotiating stance

India is slipping on its targets for national missions on climate change, Economic Survey, 2013-14 has said. It added the National Democratic Alliance government should take a more cohesive and aggressive stance on international negotiations on climate change and sustainable development.

The United Progressive Alliance government had launched eight missions as part of its action plan on climate change. The Survey said of these, several were behind schedule.

In 2013-14, the flagship Solar Mission was able to add only 522 Mw of grid-connected solar power projects, against the targeted 1,100 Mw, the survey said. At 22.7 Mw, addition of off-grid solar capacity was about half the target. The Green India Mission, aimed at increasing forest cover in the country is yet to be launched, with states only beginning to submit plans in this regard and substantial funds (Rs 13,000 crore) allocated only last year.

During the 12th Five-Year Plan, the Centre released funds to help implement state-level climate change plans. For this, a sum of only Rs 90 crore was provided.

Along with an assessment of the domestic action related to tackling climate change, the Survey also laid out a cohesive and aggressive policy for global negotiations on the matter. Noting carbon emissions should be seen as development rights, not as a pollutant, the Survey reinforces the principle of equity. “The deals (on climate change and sustainable development goals) must ensure developing countries be given their fair share of carbon and development space,” it says.

It also highlights the lack of clarity on the funds developed countries are obliged to provide. “Climate finance continues to be beset by gaps in terms of actual money needed vis-à-vis availability, lack of transparency in flows, proliferation of funds, and lack of coordination. This makes understanding the true volume and nature of financing available challenging,” the Survey said. “Raising additional resources for sustainable development goals and non-capitalisation of the Green Climate Fund are matters of serious concern and may threaten the credibility of the global negotiation process.”