The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) recently constituted a high-level inter-ministerial Apex Committee for Implementation of Paris Agreement (AIPA).
In this backdrop, here is an assessment of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the issue of climate crisis.
How are Covid-19 impact and climate crisis related?
With the formation of the AIPA, India is again strengthening its global leadership role in combating climate change.
At the same time, along with many economies, India is being severely affected by the spread and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But the good news is that recovering from the economic shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic, and avoiding severe future shocks triggered through the climate crisis, do not represent conflicting interests.
Instead, a mutually-reinforcing coping strategy is presented with this.
What does this imply?
India has tremendous potential for a ‘green recovery’ from the impacts of Covid-19.
The decarbonisation of India’s energy sector has a strong role to play in reviving the economy and the health system by –
boosting employment
fostering rural electrification as foundation of local value creation
unburdening national health systems by reducing the prevalence of respiratory diseases
The various co-benefits that accompany climate action link the missions and mandates of several ministries.
Notably, the new AIPA committee has members representing 14 ministries.
It is perfectly suited to generate a coordinated response on climate change matters.
Importantly it also helps maximise and coordinate the multiple social and economic co-benefits that accompany ambitious climate action.
How does this work in India?
India can significantly boost employment by increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix.
Renewables tend to be more labour-intensive than conventional energy technologies.
By 2050, more than 3.5 million people could be employed in the renewable energy sector.
This is five times more than the entire Indian fossil-fuel sector (coal, gas, nuclear) employed in 2020.
India can also markedly improve the livelihoods of its citizens by reducing ambient air pollution.
In a business-as-usual scenario, during 2020, almost 500,000 people will die prematurely due to exposure to particulate matter (PM10), increasing to 830,000 premature deaths during 2050.
By moving to a more ambitious decarbonisation pathway (NDC PLUS), more than 200,000 premature deaths can be avoided.
Source: Financial Express
Quick Fact
Apex Committee for Implementation of Paris Agreement (AIPA)
The AIPA is constituted under the chairmanship of Secretary, MoEFCC.
The purpose of AIPA is to generate a coordinated response on climate change matters.
It works to ensure that India is on track towards meeting its obligations under the Paris Agreement including its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
Senior officials from fourteen ministries will serve as Members to AIPA.
Another key function of AIPA would be to operate as a National Authority to regulate carbon markets in India under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
It will also -
formulate guidelines for consideration of projects or activities under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement
issue guidelines on carbon pricing, market mechanism, and other similar instruments that have a bearing on climate change and NDCs
AIPA will take note of the contributions of the private sector as well as multi-/bi-lateral agencies in the field of climate change.
It will provide guidance for aligning their climate actions with national priorities.
