The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030.India along with other countries signed the declaration on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, comprising of seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Sustainable Development Summit of the United Nations in September 2015. 

 

 

In my report I would like to talk about more specifically on Goal 13: Climate Action. The challenge, why is this important and the Indian policy context.

The Earth’s climate is changing, with severe consequences for our daily lives and the resilience of our countries. Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. Climate change is disrupting national economies, People are experiencing changing weather patterns, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events. Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities driving this change continue to rise.Climate change is real and undeniable threat to our entire civilization.

 

 

Indian Context 

 

 

India’s domestic position and policy on climate change, until recently, rarely acknowledged the issue as one having relevance for the country’s development imperatives. However, over the last decade, there has been a gradual change in perceptions around the issues of climate change emerging both within national and state governments in India, as well as various non state actors including the private sector and civil society groups. India is the third highest emitter of carbon-dioxide and is responsible for 6.9% of global emissions. However, the emissions intensity of India’s GDP reduced by 12% between 2005 and 2010. In October 2015, India made a commitment to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20-25% from its 2005 levels by 2020 and by 33-35% by 2030. On 2 October 2016 India formally ratified the historic Paris Agreement. 

 

 

 

Some facts about India and Goal 13-

 

 

 

In India nearly 300 million rural people depend on forest for a part of their subsistence and livelihood.

 

India is 3^rd largest Greenhouse gas emitter responsible for 6.9% of global emission.

 

In India 60% land is used for agriculture and 24.1% is under forest cover.

 

India is committed to reduce emission intensity of its GDP by 33-35% by 2030 and 20-35% by 2020.

 

Highest ever alternate energy capacity installation in India- Solar energy capacity installation in 2018: 6550MW and Wind energy capacity installation in 2018: 1572MW.

 

 

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has adopted an overarching environment policy which sets mandates for concerned departments, both at the apex and at the sub-national level for the implementation of environmental quality standards within their defined areas of jurisdiction. Government of India has also adopted a National Action Plan on Climate Change to address this issue directly, as well as a National Mission for Green India. These national schemes are complemented by a host of specific programs on solar energy, sustainable habitats, and enhanced energy efficiency and to encourage strategic knowledge for climate change. The Government of India has appointed the National Institution for Transforming Urban India (NITI Aayog) as the nodal agency to coordinate the SDGs.

 

 

I believe that India need more action to achieve SDGs to bring better and more sustainable future for all. India’s public and private sector need to talk about SDGs

 

For reference and further reading go through this detailed report- 

http://iihs.co.in/knowledge-gateway/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Climate-Change-Policy-in-India-and-Goal-13.pdf