India Likely to Miss Deadline for 2035 Climate Action Plan Submission

Explore India's NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) submission, outlining its climate action goals, renewable energy targets, and commitment to reducing carbon emissions under the Paris Agreement.

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Context: India is expected to miss the February 10 deadline for submitting its 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

India’s Current Position

India is not ready with its 2035 action plan and is in no hurry to meet the February deadline.
No penalties exist for late submissions, and several other countries, including many developed nations, are yet to submit their 2035 NDCs.
India is also yet to submit its first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR), which was due on December 31, 2024.

Paris Agreement and NDC Submission Cycle

The Paris Agreement requires countries to update their NDCs every five years.
India submitted its 2030 NDCs in 2020.
The 2035 NDCs were expected to be submitted by February 10, 2025, well ahead of the climate conference (COP30) in November 2025 in Brazil.
Early submissions help in compiling data, clarifications and synthesis reports.

Paris Agreement 2015

It is a legally binding international treaty that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change.
It aims to limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):
- Countries submit NDCs outlining climate actions they will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- NDCs are updated every five years.
India’s NDC’s:
- Reduce the emissions intensity of India’s GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030.
- Create a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 GtCO2e through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
- Achieve 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
India is on track to achieve all three targets ahead of 2030.

Reasons for Delay in India’s NDC Submission

Disappointment Over Climate Finance at COP29 (Baku, 2024)

Developing nations, including India, were expecting at least $1 trillion annually in climate finance from developed countries.
The final agreement at COP29 only promised $300 billion per year starting from 2035.
India strongly criticized this as “abysmally poor” and a major setback to global climate action.
The Economic Survey 2025 also hinted at possible readjustments of India’s climate targets due to funding shortages.

India’s Plan to Host COP33 in 2028

India plans to host the COP33 climate conference in 2028, announced by PM Narendra Modi at COP28 in Dubai (2023).
Host countries announce new climate initiatives before the event to showcase leadership.
India may reserve some climate commitments for announcement ahead of COP33, instead of making them now.

UPSC PYQ

Q. The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of ? (2016)

(a) pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East

(b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change

(d) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals

Answer: B