India Submits Third National Communication and Initial Adaptation Communication

December 5, 2023

The Indian Government has given the green light for the submission of the country’s Third National Communication (TNC) and Initial Adaptation Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This submission fulfills India’s responsibility to provide information under the Convention and the Paris Agreement.

Key Commitments in the TNC

While the TNC document itself is not yet public, it is based on the 2019 National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory. India is among the first 26 developing countries to submit communications based on the GHG inventory of 2019 or later.

Renewable Energy Targets

There has been a 33% reduction in India’s gross domestic product (GDP) emission intensity from 2005 to 2019. Notably, India revised its NDC goal from a 33% to a more ambitious 45% reduction in emission intensity by 2030.

In terms of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity, India has already surpassed its initial target of 40% for 2030, currently standing at 41%. The revised target for 2022 is an even more ambitious 50%.

Power Generation Landscape

Despite exceeding the 40% non-fossil capacity, India generated 73% of its power from coal in 2022-23. However, projections indicate a decrease to 55% by 2030, with new renewables reaching 31% by the same year.

GHG Emissions in 2019

The TNC reveals that in 2019, the energy sector contributed the most to GHG emissions (75.81%), followed by the agriculture sector (13.44%), industrial processes and product use (8.41%), and waste (2.34%).

In 2019, the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector acted as a net sink, removing 485,472 gigagrammes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GgCO2e). India’s net national emissions in 2019 totaled 2.6 billion tonnes CO2e, marking a 4.56% increase since 2016.

Adaptation Efforts

India’s report emphasizes its commitment to mitigation and adaptation efforts, hosting initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure. Financially, India has largely met its commitments using its own resources, urging developed countries to fulfill the $100 billion climate finance commitment.

Adaptation Communication

India’s Adaptation Communication, submitted as an annexure to the TNC, details adaptation measures. A report notes the urgency for adaptation measures, with extreme weather events impacting lives, cropland, and property. Adaptation expenditure accounted for 5.6% of GDP in 2021-2022, up from 3.7% in 2015-16, signaling the need for substantial contributions from various sources to address climate change impacts.

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