The much awaited The National Action plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was released on 30th June, 2008 to state India’s contribution towards combating climate change. The plan outlines Eight National Missions running through 2017. The Ministries involved submitted detailed plans to the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change in December 2008.
The NAPCC consists of several targets on climate change issues and addresses the urgent and critical concerns of the country through a directional shift in the development pathway. It outlines measures on climate change related adaptation and mitigation while simultaneously advancing development. The Missions form the core of the Plan, representing multi-pronged, long termed and integrated strategies for achieving goals in the context of climate change.
The Eight Missions of NAPCC
I. National Solar Mission
The ultimate objective is to make solar energy competitive with fossil-based energy options. By increasing the share of solar energy in the total energy mix, it aims to empower people at the grass roots level. Another aspect of this Mission is to launch an R&D programme facilitating international co-operation to enable the creation of affordable, more convenient solar energy systems and to promote innovations for sustained, long-term storage and use of solar power.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Full Text – National Solar Mission
Full Text – Guidelines of New Grid Connected Solar Power Projects
II. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
The Energy Conservation Act of 2001 provides a legal mandate for the implementation of energy efficiency measures through the mechanisms of The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in the designated agencies in the country. A number of schemes and programmes have been initiated which aim to save about 10,000 MW by the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan in 2012.
Full Text – National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
III. National Mission on Sustainable Habitats
This Mission was launched to make habitats sustainable through improvements in energy efficiency in buildings, management of solid waste and a modal shift to public transport. It aims to promote energy efficiency as an integral component of urban planning and urban renewal through its initiatives.
Full Text – National Mission on Sustainable Habitats
IV. National Water Mission
By 2050, India is likely to be water scarce. Thus, the Mission aims at conserving water, minimising wastage, and ensuring more equitable distribution and management of water resources. It also aims to optimize water use efficiency by 20% by developing a framework of regulatory mechanisms. It calls for strategies to accommodate fluctuations in rainfall and river flows by enhancing water storage methods, rain water harvesting and more efficient irrigation systems like drip irrigation.
Full Text – National Water Mission
V. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
The Himalayan eco-system is vital to preserving the ecological security of India. Increases in temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, drought and melting of glaciers are obvious threats. The Mission calls for empowering local communities especially Panchayats to play a greater role in managing ecological resources. It also reaffirms the measures mentioned in the National Environment Policy, 2006.
Ministry of Science and Technology
Full Text – National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
VI. National Mission for a Green India
The Mission aims at enhancing ecosystem services such as carbon sinks. It builds on the Prime Minister’s Green India Campaign for afforestation and increasing land area under forest cover from 23% to 33%. It is to be implemented through Joint Forest Management Committees under the respective State Departments of Forests. It also strives to effectively implement the Protected Area System under the National Biodiversity Conservation Act, 2001.
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Full Text – National Mission for a Green India
VII. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
The Mission aims to make Indian agriculture more resilient to climate change by identifying new varieties of crops (example: thermally resistant crops) and alternative cropping patterns. This is to be supported by a comprehensive network of traditional knowledge, practical systems, information technology and biotechnology. It makes suggestions for safeguarding farmers from climate change like introducing new credit and insurance mechanisms and greater access to information.
Ministry of Agriculture
Full Text – National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
VIII. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change
The aim is to work with the global community in research and technology development by collaboration through different mechanisms. It also has its own research agenda supported by climate change related institutions and a Climate Research Fund. It also encourages initiatives from the private sector for developing innovative technologies for mitigation and adaptation.
Ministry of Science and Technology
Full Text – National Mission on Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change
A Ninth Mission – Government to Prepare a National Bio-energy Mission
The mission, to be launched during the 12th Five-Year Plan, will offer a policy and regulatory environment to facilitate large-scale capital investments in biomass-fired power stations, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah said. It will also encourage development of rural enterprises.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – Related Press Releases
References : India.gov.in – National Portal of India
Napcc is benchmark for tackling climate change issues but it need to be implemented in all states,,include it in 5 year plan,make it mandatory for municipal corporation to implement climate change action plan
Dear Shantanu, quite true. NAPCC too needs to be reviewed and renewed annually at least.
Dear sir
I am working on GEO-6. Expert Group as part B Environment policy, target, Goals, objectives. So that please take appropriate action in the subject