Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCS)

India, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, is committed to addressing climate change through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
These contributions outline the country's climate action plans and are updated every five years to reflect evolving goals and strategies.
India submitted its first NDC in 2015, outlining its climate action plans until 2030.
In 2022, the country updated its NDC to enhance its commitments, aiming to align with global climate goals and demonstrate leadership in sustainable development.

Quantitative Targets for 2030

The updated NDC sets ambitious quantitative targets for 2030:
Emissions Intensity Reduction: India aims to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030. This is a significant increase from the 33–35% reduction target set in the 2015 NDC.
Non-Fossil Fuel-Based Energy Capacity: The country targets achieving 50% of its cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources by 2030.
Carbon Sink Enhancement: India plans to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through increased forest and tree cover.
Progress to Date: As of October 2023, India had already achieved 43.81% of its non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity, indicating substantial progress toward the 2030 target.

In its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2022, India introduced a new and transformative initiative called LIFE — Lifestyle for Environment.
This addition highlights India's commitment to tackling climate change through not only large-scale policies and infrastructure changes but also through fostering individual responsibility and sustainable living.

LIFE is a movement that seeks to promote eco-friendly behaviours and encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to adopt sustainable lifestyles.
The core idea behind LIFE is to inspire a mass movement where environmental consciousness becomes a part of daily life.
The focus is on encouraging people to make environmentally conscious decisions that lead to less resource consumption, reduced waste, and lower carbon footprints.

Sustainability in Daily Life: The LIFE movement aims to create awareness about the need for sustainable practices in everyday activities, such as consumption, transportation, waste management, and energy use.
Behavioural Change: It focuses on shifting people's mind-set, motivating them to live more sustainably by adopting greener alternatives, such as using less plastic, conserving water, and promoting plant-based diets, among other actions.
Community Engagement: LIFE emphasizes collective efforts and community-driven initiatives. It encourages a sense of responsibility where communities come together to create sustainable solutions for environmental challenges.

Complementary to NDC Goals: LIFE complements India’s broader climate action goals, as laid out in its NDCs, especially with respect to reducing emissions intensity and increasing the use of non-fossil fuel energy. By changing individual behaviours, India aims to create a sustainable society that supports the achievement of its 2030 targets and long-term climate goals.
Empowering Individuals: LIFE empowers individuals to be active participants in the fight against climate change. By encouraging simple yet effective changes in behaviour, such as using energy-efficient appliances or opting for eco-friendly transportation, the movement promotes a more conscious and sustainable lifestyle.
Global Cooperation: The LIFE initiative is also seen as a way to inspire global action. The movement’s emphasis on lifestyle changes transcends national borders, encouraging other nations to adopt similar frameworks for promoting sustainable living.

At the COP26 summit in Glasgow, India presented the 'Panchamrit'—five key commitments to combat climate change:
500 GW Non-Fossil Energy Capacity by 2030: India aims to achieve 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030.
50% Renewable Energy Share: The country targets meeting 50% of its total energy requirements from renewable energy sources by 2030.
Reduction of Carbon Emissions: India plans to reduce total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now until 2030.
Carbon Intensity Reduction: The goal is to reduce the carbon intensity of the economy by 45% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
Net Zero Emissions by 2070: India has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

India's LT-LCDC, submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2022, outlines the country's long-term strategy for low-carbon development.
The strategy emphasizes the need for financial resources to install renewable power plants, upgrade the transmission grid, and introduce energy storage systems, among other initiatives.

While India has made significant strides in its climate commitments, challenges remain:
Financial and Technological Support: The country emphasizes the need for developed nations to provide financial and technological support to developing countries to achieve their climate goals.
Updated NDC Submissions: India, along with other nations, faces the challenge of updating its NDCs to align with the latest climate science and global agreements.