Climate change and rising global temperatures are among the most significant risks to life on Earth. In response, governments are required to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as mandated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). At the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in 2021, India committed to attaining net-zero emissions by 2070. This audacious pledge demonstrates India’s commitment to a sustainable and climate-resilient future. India emphasized its climate action accomplishments in its 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4), delivered to the UNFCCC on December 30, 2024. According to the data, there was a 7.93% Drop in India’s GHG Emissions in 2019.

India produced 2,959 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) when Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) were removed from the equation. With net emissions of 2,437 million tonnes of CO₂e (including LULUCF), considerable improvement was made.

International Initiatives and India’s Contribution to the Paris Agreement

To avoid harmful human intervention with the climate system, the UNFCCC, which has been in effect since March 21, 1994, seeks to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations. An important turning point in international climate efforts was the 2015 adoption of the Paris Agreement at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21). It pursued attempts to keep global temperatures at 1.5°C and sought to keep them far below 2°C beyond pre-industrial levels. These initiatives rely heavily on India’s NDCs, which are dedicated to coordinating national growth with international sustainability objectives.

Biennial Update Reports (BURs), which provide updates on GHG inventories, mitigation efforts, and foreign assistance, are crucial in this process. The BUR-4 demonstrated a 7.93% drop in India’s GHG Emissions and its resolve to tackle its developmental priorities and fight climate change.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/

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India’s Diverse Strategy for Climate Resilience

Here’s a list of diverse strategies adopted by India for climate resilience:

Green Initiatives and Forest Conservation

India has prioritized expanding green cover and conserving forests as essential elements of its climate policy. Important projects consist of:

• Compensatory Afforestation: Projects that prioritize conserving soil and moisture are required by non-forestry land diversion.
• “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” Campaign: Launched on World Environment Day 2024, the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign is a nationwide tree planting initiative that encourages participation and awareness.
• Green Credit Program: This program, which was started in 2023, encourages the planting of trees on damaged forest lands in order to produce green credits.
• National Afforestation Programme (NAP): The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) uses a decentralized governance model to involve people in afforestation projects throughout degraded areas.

Cutting-edge methods like the Miyawaki method have been used for dense afforestation. Prayagraj’s thick green spaces were created during Mahakumbh 2025, demonstrating the fusion of conventional and contemporary methods of environmental responsibility.

Adaptation to Urban Climate Change and Low-Carbon Development

Urban areas in India, which are experiencing rapid economic and population growth, confront particular difficulties in adapting to the changing environment. The following are the top priorities of the nation’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS):

• Policies for Sustainable Urban Planning: Including climate adaptation strategies in programs such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), and the Smart Cities Mission.
• Resource Efficiency: Improving material and energy efficiency in urban planning and development to lower emissions.

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Initiatives for Clean Air and Air Pollution Control

Improving air quality is a key component of India’s climate policy. Among the initiatives are:

• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to reduce pollution in 131 cities through city-specific action plans.
• Cleaner Technology and Fuels: Encouraging the use of ethanol-blended fuels, CNG, and LPG in conjunction with Bharat Stage VI emission standards.
• Sustainable Transportation: Initiatives such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) facilitate the shift to sustainable mobility.

Conservation of Coastal Ecosystems and Regulatory Actions

India is susceptible to the effects of climate change due to its vast coastline. Coastal resiliency initiatives include:

• Conservation of Mangroves and Coral Reefs: The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) is an initiative to restore coastal ecosystems.
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plans (ICZMP): Climate resilience is the main emphasis of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plans (ICZMP), which are created for states like Gujarat, Odisha, and West Bengal.
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notifications: Important ecosystems are protected by Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notifications, which are issued in accordance with the Environment Protection Act of 1986.

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The Road to Net-Zero in India by 2070

Seven strategic transitions are outlined in India’s Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS):

1. Low-Carbon Electricity Systems: Increasing the capacity of renewable energy sources while guaranteeing that electricity is reasonably priced.
2. Sustainable Transport Systems: Creating integrated and effective low-carbon transport infrastructure is known as “sustainable transport systems.”
3. Urban Adaptation: Urban adaptation is the process of integrating climate resilience with material and energy efficiency in urban development.
4. Industrial Decoupling: Encouraging innovation to separate industrial growth from emissions is known as “industrial decoupling.”
5. Carbon Sequestration: Enhancing forest and vegetation cover while investigating CO₂ removal technology is known as carbon sequestration.
6. Economic Resilience: Matching low-carbon development objectives with finance instruments.
7. Net-Zero Transition: The “net-zero transition” is a strategic shift to attain net-zero emissions by 2070.

With a 7.93% Drop in India’s GHG Emissions, the country’s climate strategy demonstrates a balanced approach to prosperity and environmental stewardship. Despite making up only 4% of world emissions overall between 1850 and 2019, India is aware that its large and diversified population is disproportionately affected by climate change. India shows its commitment to the global climate goals through programs like afforestation, sustainable urban policy, and comprehensive emission reduction methods.

India’s inventive approach is demonstrated by the Mahakumbh afforestation project, which combines traditional methods with contemporary solutions. The nation’s emphasis on inclusive, egalitarian, and sustainable growth provides a model for other countries to emulate as it moves closer to its net-zero goal. These initiatives clear the path for a resilient and sustainable future in addition to addressing the current climate issues.

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