NAPCC, Full form, Year, Ministry, 8 Missions, UPSC Notes!

The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was formally launched on June 30, 2008, to address the challenges of climate change while promoting sustainable development in India. It aims to integrate environmental concerns into development planning through its eight core national missions, focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable habitats, and ecosystem protection. NAPCC is overseen by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and serves as the framework for both national and state-level climate action initiatives.

The National Action Plan on Climate Change is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Environment subject in the General Studies Paper-3 syllabus, government schemes in the General Studies Paper-2 syllabus, and current events of national and international importance in UPSC prelims. 

In this article, we shall study the key features of NAPCC, its 8 missions and its achievements for the UPSC exam.

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What is the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)?

The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was unveiled on June 30, 2008. This comprehensive plan outlines a strategic approach for the nation to effectively respond to climate change and improve India's ecological sustainability as it pursues development. The NAPCC emphasizes the importance of maintaining a robust economic growth rate to elevate the living standards of most of India's population and reduce their susceptibility to the adverse effects of climate change.

At its core, the NAPCC comprises eight "National Missions" that are pivotal to its implementation. These missions are dedicated to advancing awareness and knowledge about climate change, implementing strategies for adaptation and mitigation, enhancing energy efficiency, and conserving natural resources.

Learn more about the Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC)!

What are the Key Features of the National Action Plan on Climate Change?

The National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) is governed by the following principles to establish a sustainable development path that concurrently achieves economic and environmental goals:

• Protecting society's poor and vulnerable sections through an inclusive and sustainable development strategy is sensitive to climate change.
• Achieving national growth objectives through a qualitative change in direction that enhances ecological sustainability, leading to further mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Devising efficient and cost-effective strategies for end-use Demand Side Management. Deploying appropriate technologies for adaptation and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions extensively and at an accelerated pace.
• Engineering new and innovative market, regulatory, and voluntary mechanisms to promote sustainable development.
• Effecting implementation of programmes through unique linkages, including with civil society and local government institutions and through public-private partnerships.
• Welcoming international cooperation for research, development, sharing, and transfer of technologies enabled by additional funding and a global IPR regime that facilitates technology transfer to developing countries under the UNFCCC.

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The missions under the national action plan on climate change are listed below. All the missions are governed by Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) except for the National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem and the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change, which is governed by the Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology.

• National Solar Mission
• National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
• National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
• National Water Mission
• National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
• National Mission for a Green India
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
• National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission

Governed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, this mission was launched in 2010. Its main aim is to increase the share of solar energy in India’s power mix and reach grid parity with coal-based thermal power by 2030.

• The mission encourages research and development (R&D) to make solar technology better and cheaper.
• It promotes local manufacturing of solar panels and links Indian research to international efforts.
• The goal is to reduce the cost of solar energy, making it affordable and available to all.
• Solar water heaters are made mandatory in buildings to boost the use of clean heating systems.
• Through the Remote Village Electrification Programme, solar power helps provide electricity to people in villages without grid connections.
• The mission supports and facilitates ongoing research and projects in solar technology.
• Ultimately, it wants to develop a strong solar industry in India so that solar energy becomes competitive with fossil fuels.
• India has surpassed the initial 20,000 MW solar power target (set for 2022) and reached over 100 GW capacity by 2025.

Learn more about Solar Power Plants in India!

National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

This mission is under the Ministry of Power and is based on the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. It works to make energy use in India smarter and more cost-effective, especially in industries.

• The mission uses market-based systems to make energy-efficient products attractive and affordable.
• Promotes clean fuels, technology transfer, and capacity building for energy management.
• Key aim is development with energy efficiency as a priority.
• Spreads awareness about the benefits and uses of energy-efficient products.
• Ensures a good supply of such products and builds a workforce of energy professionals.
• Encourages financing options like risk guarantee funds and contracts that reward performance.
• Introduces monitoring and evaluation systems to track energy savings clearly.
• Works to fix market failures through smart policies and regulations.
• Focuses on areas such as energy, efficiency, equity, and environment.

National Mission on Sustainable Habitat

Guided by the Ministry of Urban Development, this mission aims to make Indian towns and cities more climate-friendly and less vulnerable to climate change.

• It looks at energy efficiency in buildings, better waste management, and public transport system improvements.
• Encourages the use of solid and liquid waste for energy generation, recycling, and composting.
• Promotes alternative transport systems and fuel efficiency standards with better walkways and transport planning.
• Calls for a national building code for sustainable construction.
• Offers green ratings as financial incentives for eco-friendly buildings.
• Pushes for proper water treatment, efficient toilets, less water pumping, and the use of natural gas and alternative fuels.
• Advocates for community involvement and technologies that help mitigate climate change.
• Develops dynamic urban renewal master plans for future-ready cities.
• Strengthens law enforcement and implementation of Urban Development Plan guidelines.

National Water Mission

The Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation oversees this mission. Its focus is on better water resource management, conservation, and fair distribution.

• Works on groundwater and surface water management for homes, farms, and industries.
• Improves water storage and wetland protection.
• Reviews and collects data from hydrological, weather, and rain-gauge stations.
• Implements water projects in climate-sensitive areas quickly.
• Promotes water purification and desalination technologies.
• Plans laws to regulate and manage groundwater sources.
• Encourages research on water use efficiency in all sectors.
• Offers incentives for water-neutral and water-positive technologies.
• Plans regular review of National Water Policy for better management strategies.
• Builds a public database of water resources and climate change impacts.
• Promotes citizen and state action for water conservation and better use of resources.
• Focuses on areas with water over-exploitation.
• Strives to improve water use efficiency by 20%, using better pricing and policies.

National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem

This mission is run by the Department of Science and Technology to protect the Himalayan region, its glaciers, biodiversity, and wildlife.

• Builds strong human and knowledge capacity – experts who study and manage changes.
• Invests in institutions that conduct long-term research and track ecosystem changes.
• Creates evidence-based policies through collaboration between Himalayan states and the central government.
• Encourages continuous learning and community linkages to balance development and conservation.
• Focuses on setting up a modern centre for Glaciology, standardized data collection, and resource mapping.
• Trains specialists in areas essential for sustaining the Himalayan environment.

National Mission for Green India

Governed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, it aims to restore degraded forest land, increase green cover, and protect biodiversity.

• Works to revive forest land with more trees and better forest management.
• Focuses on joint efforts between public and private groups, and improves plantation schemes through community participation.
• Develops plans to manage climate-related forest challenges.
• Main goals include enhancing carbon sinks, making forests more resilient, and helping communities that depend on forests.
• Targets doubling the area covered by new plantations and improving greenhouse gas removals.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

Led by the Ministry of Agriculture, this mission aims to make Indian farming less vulnerable to climate change.

• Plans to develop crop varieties that use less water and resist pests and heat.
• Uses both modern and traditional farming methods.
• Targets issues like dry land farming, risk management, and the use of biotechnology.
• Strengthens agricultural insurance and uses GIS and remote sensing to manage land and soil.
• Collects info on off-season crops and prepares state-level agro-climatic atlases.
• Promotes low-input agriculture, efficient water use, and high-nitrogen crops.
• Develops strategies for dairy nutrition in hot climates and supports micro-irrigation.
• Encourages organic farming, minimum tillage, and rainwater conservation.
• Provides training and capacity building for farmers.
• Promotes the use of bio-fertilizer and compost, while subsidizing chemical fertilizers.
• Strengthens the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme for better risk coverage.

National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

Managed by the Department of Science and Technology, this mission builds knowledge and research systems to address climate change with international cooperation.

• Develops regional climate science through research and partnerships.
• Uses international cooperation and funding for research and technology development.
• Supports the Indian National Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA) – a regular stock-taking exercise for climate studies.
• Creates data generation and sharing systems to keep all knowledge resources accessible.
• Identifies knowledge gaps, learns from global trends, and selects suitable technologies.
• Establishes new climate research centres within existing institutions.

Learn more about India's National Forest Policy 1988!

The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) has helped India make important progress in fighting climate change. Here are some of the main achievements of the missions under this plan:

• Growing Solar Power: The National Solar Mission has been a major success. India has built a huge amount of solar power capacity, becoming one of the top countries in the world for solar energy. Even though it didn't meet its initial goal exactly, the mission has put India on a strong path to using more clean energy.
• Reducing Pollution: India has successfully reduced the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced for every unit of its economic growth. This means the country is getting richer while becoming more energy-efficient. It shows that economic growth and environmental protection can go hand-in-hand.
• Making Industries More Efficient: The National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency has created a clever program called "Perform, Achieve, and Trade." This program gives large businesses goals for saving energy. If a company saves more energy than required, it gets a certificate it can sell. This encourages everyone to be more energy-conscious.
• Planting More Trees: The Green India Mission has focused on increasing the country's forest and tree cover. By protecting and restoring forests, India is helping to create natural "carbon sinks" that absorb carbon dioxide from the air. This is a simple but powerful way to fight climate change.
• Building Knowledge and Research: The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change has brought scientists and researchers together to better understand climate change in India. This has led to better data and smarter policies, helping the government make more informed decisions to protect the environment.

Learn more about Mission Innovation!

What are the Challenges Faced by the National Action Plan on Climate Change?

The NAPCC faces the following challenges:

• India, being in the early stages of development and having a small contribution to climate change, can adopt a unique approach. It has the potential to swiftly transition to a low-carbon economy using cutting-edge technologies.
• However, the plan report lacks a commitment to reducing carbon emissions, which is a significant omission.
• The NAPCC appears heavily focused on the solar power mission, neglecting the importance of equal emphasis and resources across all missions for faster, visible results.
• Missions related to sustainable habitat, water, agriculture, and forestry are complex, overlapping, and slow-moving. Integration or elimination of redundant activities is necessary to save time and costs.
• Effective monitoring systems are lacking for several missions due to their cross-cutting nature, posing a challenge. Ministries should report progress and hold regular meetings with the PM's Council on Climate Change.
• Institutional, systemic, and process barriers, such as financial constraints and coordination issues, hinder efficient mission implementation.
• The cross-cutting nature of missions hasn't yet yielded positive results, necessitating a fresh approach to mainstream climate change.
• While these challenges have faced criticism, they also provide an opportunity to discuss how India can address climate change and integrate it into mainstream policies.

Learn more about the Paris Agreement (COP 21) Notes For UPSC!

Looking ahead, India's climate action is guided by its international commitments and new domestic goals. The country is moving toward even more ambitious targets, including:

• Net-Zero by 2070: India has set a long-term goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2070.
• More Non-Fossil Fuel Power: The goal is to reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity and meet 50% of the country's energy needs from renewable sources by 2030.
• Creating a Carbon Sink: India is committed to creating an additional forest and tree cover to absorb 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030.
• State-Level Action: In addition to the national plan, many states in India have developed their own State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC) to address local vulnerabilities.

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