renewable energy sources are prescribed to account for at least 60% of the energy
consumption in 2050, while efficiency rates should increase by 50% (BMUB 2016).
China has submitted INDC to the UNFCCC, affirming its intention to peak its
CO 2 emissions around 2030 and lower CO 2 per unit of GDP by 60–65% based on
the reference year of 2005 levels by 2030. The China INDC also included the goal of
raising the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to 20% by 2030.
China also adopted environment-friendly industrial production, to build a
low-carbon society, and effective carbon emissions control to combat against climate
change. China is also developing a carbon emissions trading market (Wu 2017).
Japan submitted its INDC, which includes an emissions reduction target of 26%
below 2013 emission levels by 2030, equivalent to 18% below 1990 levels by 2030.
Japan’s INDC is based on a problematic accounting method that excludes land use,
land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) from the base year emissions, but includes
it in the target year emissions. This type of asymmetric emissions accounting needs
to be scrutinized under the Paris Agreement. When accounting for LULUCF credits
in the base year, this target is reduced to 23% below 2013 (15% below 1990) levels
of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The Japanese Government also proposes using the
Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), which could potentially further reduce the level
of domestic reductions, depending on how Japan intends to account for the cumulative credits in the post-2020 period (Government of Japan 2015).
12.4.1 India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)
The INDC begins with India’s existing environmental policy. Rooted in India’s
constitution (Article 48-A), the policy states that all States (of India) shall endeavour
to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife in
the country. More specifically, India’s overarching framework on the environment
and climate change is enshrined in the National Environmental Policy of 2006,
which promotes sustainable development along with ecological constraints and the
imperatives of social justice (MoEF 2006).
India started National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2007, which
reiterates the centrality of sustainable development as a policy goal but argues that
there are benefits of addressing climate change concerns while promoting economic
growth. The NAPCC is supported through eight “National Missions” that highlight
priorities for mitigation and adaptation to fight climate change (NAPCC 2008).
These broad policies are supplemented by the policies of state governments,
NGOs, other stakeholders, and the private sector.
The INDC highlights that 32 states and union territories have inaugurated State
Action Plans on Climate Change that attempt to make sure that climate change issues
are integrated into the planning process. The INDC notes that these policies are
supplemented by other legislation and guidelines such as the Energy Conservation
Act, the National Policy for Farmers, the National Electricity Policy, and the
Integrated Energy Policy.
12 Renewable Energy for a Low-Carbon Future: Policy Perspectives
277
consumption in 2050, while efficiency rates should increase by 50% (BMUB 2016).
China has submitted INDC to the UNFCCC, affirming its intention to peak its
CO 2 emissions around 2030 and lower CO 2 per unit of GDP by 60–65% based on
the reference year of 2005 levels by 2030. The China INDC also included the goal of
raising the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to 20% by 2030.
China also adopted environment-friendly industrial production, to build a
low-carbon society, and effective carbon emissions control to combat against climate
change. China is also developing a carbon emissions trading market (Wu 2017).
Japan submitted its INDC, which includes an emissions reduction target of 26%
below 2013 emission levels by 2030, equivalent to 18% below 1990 levels by 2030.
Japan’s INDC is based on a problematic accounting method that excludes land use,
land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) from the base year emissions, but includes
it in the target year emissions. This type of asymmetric emissions accounting needs
to be scrutinized under the Paris Agreement. When accounting for LULUCF credits
in the base year, this target is reduced to 23% below 2013 (15% below 1990) levels
of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The Japanese Government also proposes using the
Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), which could potentially further reduce the level
of domestic reductions, depending on how Japan intends to account for the cumulative credits in the post-2020 period (Government of Japan 2015).
12.4.1 India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)
The INDC begins with India’s existing environmental policy. Rooted in India’s
constitution (Article 48-A), the policy states that all States (of India) shall endeavour
to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife in
the country. More specifically, India’s overarching framework on the environment
and climate change is enshrined in the National Environmental Policy of 2006,
which promotes sustainable development along with ecological constraints and the
imperatives of social justice (MoEF 2006).
India started National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2007, which
reiterates the centrality of sustainable development as a policy goal but argues that
there are benefits of addressing climate change concerns while promoting economic
growth. The NAPCC is supported through eight “National Missions” that highlight
priorities for mitigation and adaptation to fight climate change (NAPCC 2008).
These broad policies are supplemented by the policies of state governments,
NGOs, other stakeholders, and the private sector.
The INDC highlights that 32 states and union territories have inaugurated State
Action Plans on Climate Change that attempt to make sure that climate change issues
are integrated into the planning process. The INDC notes that these policies are
supplemented by other legislation and guidelines such as the Energy Conservation
Act, the National Policy for Farmers, the National Electricity Policy, and the
Integrated Energy Policy.
12 Renewable Energy for a Low-Carbon Future: Policy Perspectives
277