Coping with Climate Change: An Analysis of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change; Volume I

In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its Fourth Assessment Report, which warned of a ‘dangerous’ increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, especially in tropical and sub-tropical countries. The IPCC also urged countries to step up action on climate change. In response, the Indian government set up the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change (PMCCC) that same year.The PMCCC formulated the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008, which proposed eight missions to deal with climate change adaptation and mitigation: the National Solar Mission, the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, the National Mission for Sustainable Habitat, the National Water Mission, the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, the National Mission for a Green India, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, and the National Mission for Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change.This 2018 report by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment assesses the implementation of these missions against their stated goals. The report says that the NAPCC’s approach lacks specificity and that most missions (some of which were formed only 3-4 years ago) have made “uncertain” progress. Additionally, financial constraints, inter-ministerial coordination, a lack of technical expertise and project clearance delays have impeded the efficient implementation of the missions.