Introduction
Climate change is no longer a future threat; it is a reality of today that impacts ecosystems, economies, and the health of individuals across the world. To address this global challenge while working towards sustainable development, the Government of India initiated the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008. Led by the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change, NAPCC seeks to mainstream climate considerations into developmental processes and achieve an ecologically sustainable growth trajectory.
Introduction to NAPCC
The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is India’s strategic roadmap to address the challenges of climate change. The plan:
- Aims to raise awareness on climate change among different stakeholders ranging from government agencies, industries, scientists to communities.
- Puts forth long-term, multi-pronged and integrated approaches through eight missions to ensure sustainable development.
- Emphasizes both adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
Objectives of NAPCC
- For increasing ecological sustainability in pursuit of economic development.
- For encouraging the adoption of clean and energy-efficient technologies.
- For addressing vulnerable sections of the society through inclusive development.
- For ensuring inter-generational equity and fostering environmental stewardship.
The Eight Missions under NAPCC
NAPCC consists of eight national missions, each focusing on a particular sector of sustainable development and climate resilience:
| Sl. No | Mission Name | Nodal Ministry | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | National Solar Mission | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy | Solar energy generation & technology |
| 2. | National Mission for Greater Energy Efficiency | Ministry of Power | Industrial energy efficiency |
| 3. | National Mission on Sustainable Habitat | Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs | Urban planning & energy-efficient buildings |
| 4. | National Water Mission | Ministry of Jal Shakti | Water conservation & efficiency |
| 5. | National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem | Department of Science and Technology | Himalayan ecology |
| 6. | National Mission for a Green India | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change | Forest and ecosystem resilience |
| 7. | National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare | Climate-resilient agriculture |
| 8. | National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change | Department of Science and Technology | Climate science and policy support |
Detailed Overview of Each Mission
Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM)
- Objective: Reach grid parity by 2022 and cost parity with coal by 2030.
- Target: In-stall 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022.
- Key Focus:
- Encourage R&D in solar technology.
- Domestic manufacturing of solar panels.
- Solar off-grid systems for electrification of remote locations.
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE)
- Objective: Market-based mechanisms for enhancing energy efficiency in industry.
- Key Instruments:
- Conduct Achieve Trade (PAT)
- Market Transformation for Energy Efficiency (MTEE)
- Energy Efficiency Financing Platform (EEFP)
- Framework for Energy Efficient Economic Development (FEEED)
National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (NMSH)
- Objective: Encourage urban planning with energy efficiency.
- Key Strategies:
- Implement a single building code.
- Waste-to-energy technologies.
- Improve public transportation and fuel efficiency.
- Encourage urban use of renewable energy.
National Water Mission (NWM)
- Objective: Enhance water use efficiency by 20%.
- Key Focus Areas:
- Groundwater and surface water management.
- Climate-resilient water infrastructure.
- Encouragement of traditional and modern water conservation techniques.
- Basin-level water planning and desalination technologies.
National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
- Objective: Safeguard glaciers and biodiversity in the Himalayas.
- Key Strategies:
- Glaciology monitoring and research.
- Institutional and human capacity development.
- Coordination of Himalayan state policies.
- Establishment of a Glaciology Center.
National Mission for a Green India
- Objective: Enhance forest cover and ecosystem services.
- Targets:
- Afforest 5 million hectares of land.
- Enhance the quality of forest cover on 5 million hectares.
- Focus Areas:
- Conservation of biodiversity.
- Increasing carbon sinks.
- Participatory governance and community forestry.
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
- Objective: Climate-proof Indian agriculture.
- Strategies:
- Foster drought-tolerant crops.
- Enhance agricultural insurance.
- Establish agro-climatic zone-based planning.
- Promote organic and conservation farming methods.
National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change
- Objective: Establish a strong climate knowledge system.
- Components:
- Climate modeling and vulnerability studies.
- Global research collaboration.
- Technology mapping and knowledge transfer.
- Feed into the Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA).
Role of UNFCCC and Global Partnerships
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has a crucial role in:
- Ensuring global climate negotiations.
- Facilitating the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement.
- Facilitating technology transfers, finance, and international cooperation in climate policy.
NAPCC Successes
- Harmonization of climate objectives with development planning.
- Scaling up solar power under the International Solar Alliance.
- Awarded by WWF India for being broad-based and balanced.
- Creation of institutions such as INCCA for climate appraisal.
NAPCC Challenges
| Challenge | Description |
|---|---|
| Imbalance | Excessive concentration on solar energy while the other missions fall behind. |
| Multi-department Overlaps | Missions such as habitat and agriculture are plagued with lack of coordination and slow pace. |
| Poor Monitoring | Lack of consistency and transparency in progress reporting. |
| Financial Constraints | Inadequate funding for missions aside from solar and energy efficiency. |
| Institutional Gaps | Scarcity of technical talent, long project approval delays, and inter-ministerial silos. |
Suggestions for Improvement
- Establish specific emission reduction targets consonant with international climate pledges.
- Create autonomous monitoring bureaus for open reporting.
- Harmonize ongoing schemes and policies with NAPCC for improved synergy.
- Foster people’s participation and decentralized climate control.
- Mobilize long-term domestic and foreign climate finance.
Conclusion
The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is India’s flagship strategy to address climate change while fostering sustainable development. Despite the challenges in its implementation, the Plan provides a solid foundation to shift towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. To achieve its full potential, India needs to ensure balanced progress across all missions, institutional alignment, strong monitoring, and extensive stakeholder participation.
FAQs on NAPCC
Q1. When was the NAPCC launched?
Ans: It was initiated in June 2008 by the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change.
Q2. Under NAPCC, how many missions exist?
Ans: There are 8 national missions for energy, water, agriculture, habitat, forests, and knowledge.
Q3. Which mission is concerned with energy efficiency?
Ans: The National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE).
Q4. What is INCCA?
Ans: Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment, a knowledge network for policy input and climate assessment.
Q5. Which mission focuses on the Himalayan ecosystem?
Ans: National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem.
