Climate Change and Pollution in India

Introduction

Climate change and pollution are interconnected environmental crises with far-reaching consequences for India's development trajectory. India, the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, faces a dual challenge -- accelerating economic growth while transitioning to a low-carbon pathway. Simultaneously, air, water, and soil pollution impose severe health and economic costs, with an estimated millions of premature deaths annually linked to pollution.

Climate Change Science

The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain atmospheric gases (water vapour, CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone) trap infrared radiation re-emitted from the Earth's surface, keeping the planet approximately 33 degrees C warmer than it would otherwise be. Enhanced greenhouse effect refers to the intensification of this process due to human-driven increases in greenhouse gas concentrations since the Industrial Revolution.

Key Greenhouse Gases

IPCC Assessment Reports

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), established in 1988 by WMO and UNEP, periodically publishes comprehensive assessment reports.

AR6 Synthesis Report (2023): Concluded that adverse climate impacts are already more far-reaching and extreme than anticipated. Limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C requires global emissions to peak before 2025 and be halved by 2030.

India's Climate Commitments

Paris Agreement (2015)

India ratified the Paris Agreement on 2 October 2016. The Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees C, preferably 1.5 degrees C, above pre-industrial levels.

Panchamrit -- Five Climate Pledges (COP26, Glasgow, 2021)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced five climate targets at COP26 in November 2021:

Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)

Announced at COP26, LiFE promotes a mass movement for individual-level behavioural change to combat climate change, rooted in traditions of conservation and moderation.

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

Launched on 30 June 2008 by the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change, the NAPCC outlines India's strategy through eight National Missions.

Pollution in India

Air Pollution

National Air Quality Index (NAQI / AQI)

Launched in 2014 by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI uses a single number to communicate air quality to the public.

Pollutants Monitored: PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb (8 pollutants).

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

Launched in January 2019, NCAP targets 40% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2025--2026 in 131 non-attainment cities (later revised to a target of 40% reduction by 2025--26 with the base year 2017--18).

Key Air Pollution Legislation

Water Pollution

Water Quality Parameters (CPCB)

Soil Pollution

Major causes include excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers, industrial waste, improper solid waste disposal, mining activities, and e-waste dumping. The Soil Health Card Scheme (launched 2015) promotes balanced use of fertilisers based on soil testing.

Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

Waste Management Rules

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The EIA Notification, 2006 (under EPA 1986) lays down the procedure for obtaining Environmental Clearance (EC) for development projects.

EIA Process -- Four Stages

Project Categories

National Green Tribunal (NGT)

Important for UPSC

Prelims Focus

• Greenhouse gases and their GWP values (CO2 = 1, CH4 ~28--30, N2O ~265--298)
• IPCC Assessment Reports timeline (AR1 through AR6; AR6 published 2021--2023)
• Panchamrit five pledges: 500 GW non-fossil, 50% renewable, 1 billion tonnes reduction, 45% intensity cut, Net Zero 2070
• India's updated NDC: 45% emissions intensity reduction by 2030 and 47% by 2035
• NAPCC launch year (2008) and all 8 missions by name
• AQI categories (6), pollutants monitored (8), launched in 2014
• NCAP target: 40% reduction in particulate matter by 2025--26
• NGT establishment (2010), principal bench (New Delhi), disposal timeline (6 months)
• EIA Notification 2006: four stages (Screening, Scoping, Public Consultation, Appraisal)
• Ban on identified single-use plastics: 1 July 2022
• BS-VI emission norms: April 2020

Mains Dimensions

• GS3 (Environment): India's balancing act between development and climate commitments; effectiveness of NAPCC missions; EIA dilution debates; pollution-health nexus
• GS3 (Economy): Green finance; carbon markets; economic cost of air pollution (estimated at 1.4% of GDP); just energy transition for coal-dependent communities
• GS2 (Governance): Role of NGT in environmental governance; NGT vs High Courts -- jurisdictional overlaps; implementation gaps in waste management rules; Centre-State coordination on pollution control
• GS2 (International Relations): Climate justice -- Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR); India's position in UNFCCC negotiations; Loss and Damage Fund (COP27/COP28)
• GS1 (Geography): Impact of climate change on Indian monsoon patterns; Himalayan glacier retreat; sea-level rise threats to coastal cities
• Essay: "Climate change is the defining crisis of our time -- but it is also the greatest opportunity to reimagine progress."

Interview Angles

• Is India's Net Zero 2070 target ambitious enough compared to 2050 targets of developed nations?
• How can India simultaneously pursue industrialisation and decarbonisation?
• Should the EIA process be strengthened or streamlined for faster project approvals?
• What role should the judiciary (NGT, Supreme Court) play in environmental governance?
• Can individual lifestyle changes (LiFE mission) truly make a difference at scale?

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q1. (2016): With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017.
2. The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2 degrees C or even 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels.
3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (b) (The Agreement entered into force in November 2016, not 2017; the committed amount was $100 billion, not $1000 billion) (Prelims 2016, GS Paper I)

Q2. (2017): Consider the following statements:

1. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are non-binding under the Paris Agreement.
2. India's INDC aims at reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35 percent by 2030 from 2005 level.
3. The Green Climate Fund is intended to assist the developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (d) (Prelims PYQ, GS Paper I)

Q3. (2014): Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil?

1. Excretion of urea by animals
2. Burning of coal by man
3. Death of vegetation

Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (c) (Prelims 2014, GS Paper I)

Q4. (2020): Consider the following statements regarding the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC):

1. NAPCC was launched in 2008.
2. It outlines 8 National Missions.
3. The National Solar Mission is one of the Missions under NAPCC.

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (d) (Prelims PYQ, GS Paper I)

Mains

Q5. (2017): Enumerate the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) Missions and discuss their relevance in combating climate change in India. (GS Paper III, 250 words)

Q6. (2022): Discuss the global warming potential of greenhouse gases and their role in intensifying climate change. How is India balancing its developmental needs with climate commitments? (GS Paper III, 250 words)

Current Affairs Connect

Sources: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (moef.gov.in); Press Information Bureau (pib.gov.in); Central Pollution Control Board (cpcb.nic.in); IPCC (ipcc.ch); UNFCCC (unfccc.int); National Green Tribunal (greentribunal.gov.in); India Code (indiacode.nic.in); PRS Legislative Research (prsindia.org).