INTRODUCTION
Climate change initially became a global issue in the 1970s, with the 1972 “United Nations Conference on the Human Environment” in Stockholm marking a key step toward global recognition of environmental concerns. Comparatively, while being aware of the issue early on, India formally prioritized climate change on June 30, 2008, with the release of the “National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC)” by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The NAPCC identifies policies that advance development goals and provide other benefits for successfully combating climate change.[1] The Economic Survey 2024–25 ranks India as the seventh most climate change vulnerable nation. It has drawn attention to the nation’s vulnerability to both severe weather events and gradual occurrences like biodiversity loss, water insecurity, and sea level rise. In comparison to the 5% of days in 2020 and 2021, India witnessed heatwaves on an average of 18% of days in 2022–2024.[2] India may lose 24.7% of its GDP by 2070 as a result of growing climate-related disruptions if climate risks are not reduced.[3] While the situation is alarming, to achieve these goals, the government has made some initiatives and programs. These initiatives reflect India’s commitment and a strategic balance between development goals and environmental responsibility.
NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
The NAPCC is regarded as the first climate change action plan created by the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his council at the time. Eight missions are listed in this strategy. They are as follows:
- “THE NATIONAL SOLAR MISSION” – The mission aims to enhance the use of alternative renewable energy sources and raise the proportion of solar energy in the nation’s overall energy mix.[4]
- “THE NATIONAL MISSION ENHANCED ENERGY EFFICIENCY” – expands upon “the Energy Conservation Act of 2001”. The goal of this mission is to find ways to make energy efficiency improvements more cost-effective by creating a market-based mechanism.
- “THE NATIONAL MISSION ON SUSTAINABLE HABITAT”- has a wide range of objectives. It examines waste management from buildings as well as energy efficiency within them. Improving the public transportation system is a key component of our aim. Additionally, it will aim to manage solid waste through recycling, promote energy efficiency in both the business and residential sectors, and enhance the urban transportation infrastructure.
- “THE NATIONAL MISSION ON WATER” – will be installed to guarantee more effective integrated management of water resources. Water conservation, less water waste, and fair water distribution would result from this. Further, the mission will develop a framework for implementing price and regulatory measures to increase water efficiency by 20%.
- “THE NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINING THE HIMALAYAN ECOSYSTEM”
It was established in order to save the environment of the Himalayas. This mission’s mandate is to develop strategies to protect and preserve the mountain ecosystems and glaciers of the Himalayas.
- “THE NATIONAL MISSION FOR A GREEN INDIA”
is tasked with restoring degraded forest land. Its main goals will be biodiversity conservation and an increase in forest cover and density. Reducing forest fragmentation, strengthening private-public partnerships for plantations, enhancing joint forestry management schemes, etc., are all necessary steps in the future.
- “THE NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE”
will come up with plans to lessen the impact of climate change on agriculture. More significantly, it would employ both conventional and contemporary farming methods to fulfill its declared mission objective. It would also discover and create new crop kinds.
- “THE NATIONAL MISSION FOR STRATEGIC KNOWLEDGE ON CLIMATE CHANGE”
Through a number of channels, this Mission aims to collaborate and conduct research with the global community. It will also have its research agenda, which will be backed by a Climate Research Fund and a network of universities and institutions that are specifically focused on climate change. Additionally, private sector efforts to create cutting-edge technologies for adaptation and mitigation will be supported by the Mission.
Every mission falls under a ministry, according to the NAPCC, and these missions will have an institutional setup. Other attempts to address climate change are also examined by the NAPCC, including the use of natural gas and other energy-generating technologies, such as supercritical technologies, which are more efficient than traditional coal-burning thermal power plants. The additional initiatives that are recommended include the requirement to create capacity and transfer technology.[5]
STATE ACTION PLAN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE (SAPCC)
The “State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC)” were also proposed to operationalize “NAPCC” at the state level. It was first proposed by the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change in 2009. Examining answers to States in India have effectively worked to develop a framework for policies that bridges the gap between the reality on the ground in districts, cities, and villages, and the national policy level for both adaptation and mitigation of climate change. As a result, the establishment of SAPCCs marks a critical turning point in the domestic development of climate change policy in India. The impacts of climate change, vulnerability assessments, adaptation, and mitigation techniques are all covered in great length by SAPCCs, and the funding and capacity-building requirements to meet the indicated actions. Among the important areas that SAPCCs address are forestry, agriculture, water, habitat, health, and disaster relief.[6]
“PANCHAMITRA” CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
India unveiled its five-pronged climate action strategy, known as “Panchamitra,” during the Glasgow Summit, where it pledged to achieve net zero emissions by the year 2070:
- Aim for 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
- Renewable energy sources should provide half of the energy required by 2030.
- Reduce projected carbon emissions by one billion tons by 2030.
- By 2030, cut the carbon intensity of the economy by 45% from 2005 levels.
- Reach net-zero emissions by 2070.[7]
To achieve these goals, some schemes and programs have been introduced, such as for
Promoting Electric Vehicles (EVs): The Government of India has implemented a PLI plan for Advanced Chemistry Cells and a Battery Swapping Policy to make EVs financially viable. The goal is to lower battery costs, which account for around 40% of vehicle expenses.
Carbon Sequestration Efforts: Under the “Nagar Van Yojana”, the “Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC)” intends to create up to 1,000 urban woods, or Nagar Vans, across India to enhance carbon sequestration through natural sinks.
NATIONAL CARBONACEOUS AEROSOLS PROGRAMME (NCAP)
The NCAP-COALESCE initiative was launched as part of India’s National Climate Action Programme. This multi-institutional, coordinated endeavor, directed by IIT Bombay’s Interdisciplinary Programme in Climate Studies, will allow for collaboration in cutting-edge fundamental research to understand the causes, destiny, and impact of carbonaceous aerosols on the Indian subcontinent’s climate change. As part of India’s broader commitment to climate action, the initiative would be a crucial step in developing a solid knowledge basis for the country regarding short-lived climate pollutants, such as carbonaceous aerosols. The NCAP-COALESCE project’s research efforts should result in important breakthroughs in our knowledge of the main ways that carbonaceous aerosols affect climate change.[8]
CONCLUSION
India, being the seventh most vulnerable nation to climate change, makes it a priority to avoid major consequences. While international engagement began in the 1970s, India formally aligned its development agenda with climate priorities in 2008 through the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC). With its eight core missions and complementary state-level action plans (SAPCCs). Despite facing alarming vulnerabilities from rising temperatures and extreme weather to threats to biodiversity and economic stability, India demonstrates strong climate leadership. Initiatives like the Panchamitra strategy, the promotion of electric vehicles, urban afforestation programs like Nagar Van Yojna, and scientific research through the NCAP-COALESCE project underscore a commitment to evidence-based and forward-looking climate policy. To meet its climate goals, India must integrate resilience, equity, and innovation, which are key to both risk mitigation and achieving Viksit Bharat.
Author(s) Name: Tanishka Indurkar (Prestige Institute of Management and Research Department of Law)
References:
[1]Carbon Impacts Editorial Team, ‘India ranks seventh most vulnerable country to climate change: Economic Survey’(Carbon Impacts, 1 Feb 2025) <https://carbonimpacts.info/article/india-ranks-seventh-most-vulnerable-country-to-climate-change-economic-survey‑679dc77d16989> accessed on 23 July 2025.
[2]India Today Environment Desk, ‘India 7th most vulnerable country to climate change: Economic Survey’ (India Today, 31 January 2025)
<https://www.indiatoday.in/environment/story/india-7th-most-vulnerable-country-to-climate-change-economic-survey-2672890-2025-01-31> accessed on 23 July2025.
[3] A Roy, ‘Union Budget 2025: a lukewarm commitment to climate action’ (ORF, 10 Feb 2025) <https://www.orfonline.org/english/research/union-budget-2025-a-lukewarm-commitment-to-climate-action> accessed on 23 July 2025.
[4] Vikaspedia Collaborative, Climate Change <https://en.vikaspedia.in/viewcontent/energy/policy-support/environment-1/climate-change> accessed on 24 july 2025.
[5] India Water Portal, ‘National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and Supporting Mission Documents’ (2008–11)<https://www.indiawaterportal.org/governance-and-policy/governance/national‑action‑plan‑climate‑change‑napcc‑and‑supporting‑mission‑documents‑2008‑11> accessed 24 July 2025.
[6] Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), ‘National Adaptation Plan–India: Factsheet’ (GIZ, April 2019)
<https://www.adaptationcommunity.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/giz2019-en-factsheet-nap-india-low-res.pdf> accessed on 24 July 2025.
[7] Drishti IAS, ‘Climate Change Policies and India’s Road to Net‑Zero’ <https://www.drishtiias.com/blog/climate-change-policies-and-india’s-road-to-net-zero> accessed on 24 July 2025.
