UPSC Prelims 2016 Q6: Environment & Ecology – International Environmental Treaties & Summits
The term 'Intended Nationally Determined Contributions' is sometimes seen in the news in
the context of
- (a) pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war - affected Middle East
- (b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change
- (c) capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
- (d) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals
Answer: (b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change
Explanation
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs)
INDCs are the climate action plans that countries submitted before the Paris climate conference (COP21, 2015).
When a country ratifies the Paris Agreement, its INDC becomes its NDC.
| India's INDC target (2015) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Emissions intensity of GDP | Cut by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from the 2005 level |
| Non-fossil power capacity | About 40 percent by 2030 |
| Carbon sink | Additional 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through forests |
The options checked:
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| (a) Pledges by European countries to rehabilitate refugees | Incorrect |
| (b) Plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change | Correct |
| (c) Capital contributed in the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank | Incorrect |
| (d) Plan of action regarding Sustainable Development Goals | Incorrect |
Answer: (b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. INDCs have nothing to do with refugees from the war-affected Middle East.
- (b) CORRECT. INDCs are each country's plan of action to combat climate change.
- (c) Incorrect. Capital shares in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are not called INDCs.
- (d) Incorrect. The Sustainable Development Goals have separate national reviews, not INDCs.
Key point
INDCs: climate pledges submitted before Paris (COP21, 2015); they become NDCs on ratification and are updated every five years.
Remember
INDC = national climate pledge for Paris 2015.
Common mistakes
- Linking 'contributions' to money paid into a bank or fund.
- Confusing INDCs with the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted the same year.
- Thinking INDCs are binding targets set by the UN; each country sets its own.
Exam tip
'Nationally Determined' = each country decides its own climate pledge.
Sources
- UNFCCC — Nationally Determined Contributions
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — India's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (2015)