Maarg Manthan · Topic 18.16

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and India’s Climate Change Assessment

Environment & Ecology › International Environmental Governance and Conventions · Topic 18.16

The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 30 June 2008 as India's first comprehensive plan to deal with climate change. It outlines existing and future policies and programmes addressing climate mitigation and adaptation, and rests on eight National Missions: the National Solar Mission, the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, the National Water Mission, the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, the National Mission for a Green India, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change. The plan is guided by the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change, and implemented by the nodal ministries; the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the coordinating ministry. States are asked to prepare State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) in line with the NAPCC; almost all states and Union Territories have done so. India's climate change assessment includes the Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA), set up in 2009, which prepares the national greenhouse gas inventory and reports, and the 2020 national assessment by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. India reports through National Communications and Biennial Update Reports to the UNFCCC. The Climate Change Action Programme and the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change support implementation.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · International Environmental Governance and Conventions

At a Glance

Launched 30 June 2008
Missions Eight
Guided by PM’s Council on Climate Change
State plans SAPCCs
Assessment network INCCA, 2009
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: International Environmental Governance and Conventions

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the account of observed climate change in India and covers the national plan that guides its response. It leads to the policy structure for greenhouse gas emissions. Previous topic: Observed Climate and Weather Changes in India. Next topic: India’s Policy Structure Relevant to GHG Emissions.

What Are the Eight Missions of the NAPCC?

Mission	Focus
National Solar Mission	Promote solar energy; launched 2010 as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency	Energy efficiency, including the Perform, Achieve and Trade scheme
National Mission on Sustainable Habitat	Energy-efficient buildings, waste management and public transport in cities
National Water Mission	Water use efficiency by 20 percent, river basin planning and conservation
National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem	Monitoring and protecting Himalayan glaciers, biodiversity and communities
National Mission for a Green India	Increase forest and tree cover and improve quality of forests
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture	Climate-resilient agriculture, soil health and water use

How Is the NAPCC Implemented and Assessed?

Eighth mission: National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change, to build research and data
Governance: Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change; MoEFCC coordinates, each mission has a nodal ministry
State Action Plans: all states and UTs are to prepare SAPCCs, with a few revised after 2021
INCCA: Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment, set up in 2009 to assess climate change
National Communications: India has submitted several, reporting emissions and actions
BURs: India has submitted Biennial Update Reports to the UNFCCC
National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change: set up in 2015 under NABARD
Criticism: limited funds, weak coordination and little monitoring

What Else Should You Remember?

Release: 30 June 2008 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Principles: development and climate protection together, equity, and no binding cuts for India
Eight missions: launched at different times between 2010 and 2014
Solar Mission: launched 2010 with an initial target of 20 GW by 2022, later raised to 100 GW
Energy efficiency: PAT scheme, labelling and EESL programmes such as UJALA
Sustainable habitat: Energy Conservation Building Code and urban transport
Water mission: aims for 20 percent increase in water use efficiency
Himalayan mission: observation and Himalayan glacier monitoring
Green India: aims for 5 million hectares of new forest and tree cover and improved quality on 5 million hectares
Agriculture mission: NMSA from 2014
Knowledge mission: climate research centres and the Climate Change Programme of DST
SAPCC: State Action Plans on Climate Change
Climate Change Cell: in the Ministry for coordination
INCCA reports: 2010 report on India’s GHG emissions in 2007; 2010 ‘Climate Change and India: 4×4 Assessment’
4×4 Assessment: assessed four sectors in four regions, a 2010 study
GHG inventory: India’s emissions inventory is part of its National Communications and BURs
Climate assessment 2020: MoES report on observed changes
NAFCC: funds adaptation projects in states
Climate and health: NPCCHH implements health aspects
Link to previous: see Observed Climate and Weather Changes in India
Link to next: see India’s Policy Structure Relevant to GHG Emissions
Link to solar mission: see Geothermal Energy and Solar Energy
Caution: mission names and targets have been revised, so check the ministry’s current pages
Exam hint: remember 2008, eight missions and the nodal bodies
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: launched in 2014 to promote climate-resilient farming, water efficiency and soil health
Prime Minister’s Council: its members include ministers and experts, and it advises on assessment, adaptation and mitigation policy
Sector targets: each mission has its own goals, such as 20 percent better water-use efficiency and 5 million hectares of added forest and tree cover
Monitoring: missions report to the Council, but monitoring has been uneven
Link to SDGs: NAPCC missions support SDGs on energy, water, cities, climate and land

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Launched: 2008
Missions: Eight
Guide body: PM’s Council on Climate Change
Current affairs link: SAPCC revision
Common errors: listing a ninth mission

As an analytical point, the NAPCC set up a policy frame and missions, but implementation depends on funds, state action and monitoring. Its main contributions are solar, energy efficiency and afforestation, while some missions remain slow.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Plan Eight missions
Guide PM Council
States SAPCC

What Came Next?

The next topic covers India’s policy structure relevant to greenhouse gas emissions. Next topic: India’s Policy Structure Relevant to GHG Emissions.

Key People and Terms

NAPCC National Action Plan on Climate Change
SAPCC State Action Plan on Climate Change
INCCA Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment
NAFCC National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change
BUR Biennial Update Report
NATCOM National Communication

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

NAPCC launched 30 June 2008.
Eight missions.
INCCA set up 2009.
States prepare SAPCCs.
NAFCC set up 2015.

Do Not Confuse With

NAPCC and SAPCC National plan versus state plans
NAPCC and NDC Domestic plan versus pledge to UNFCCC
INCCA and IPCC Indian network versus global panel

Memory Hook

Oh-eight, eight missions: sun, saving, habitat, water, Himalaya, green, farm, knowledge.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for the missions. These points help.

Missions Eight
Delivery States
Gaps Funds

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Explain the National Action Plan on Climate Change and evaluate its missions in addressing mitigation and adaptation.”

How to Answer

Plan 2008.
Missions Eight.
States SAPCC.
Gaps Funds.

GS Relevance

Prelims: eight missions, year, bodies. GS Paper 3: India's climate policy framework.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Action Plan on Climate Change?

The National Action Plan on Climate Change is India's first comprehensive policy framework on climate change, released on 30 June 2008. It lists existing and planned programmes for mitigation and adaptation, centred on eight National Missions, and is guided by the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change.

What are the eight missions under the NAPCC?

The eight missions are the National Solar Mission, the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, the National Water Mission, the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, the National Mission for a Green India, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.

What are State Action Plans on Climate Change?

State Action Plans on Climate Change are plans prepared by states and union territories in line with the NAPCC, identifying state-specific climate risks and actions on sectors such as agriculture, water, forests, energy, health and urban areas. Almost all states have prepared plans, and many are being revised to align with newer national goals.

What is the Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment?

The Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment, set up in 2009 by the Environment Ministry, is a network of research institutions and scientists that prepares assessments of greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change in India. Its work includes the national greenhouse gas inventory and the 4x4 Assessment of climate impacts in four regions.

How does India report on climate change to the UNFCCC?

India reports through National Communications, which describe its greenhouse gas inventory, climate actions and needs, and through Biennial Update Reports, which update this information every two years. These reports, together with the Nationally Determined Contribution, are submitted to the UNFCCC and are subject to international consultation and analysis.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The NAPCC was released in 2008.

True

On 30 June.

2 The NAPCC has nine missions.

False

It has eight.

3 The National Water Mission is under the NAPCC.