- The greenhouse effect is natural: gases such as CO₂ and water vapour trap heat and keep Earth about 33°C warmer than it would otherwise be. Human emissions are enhancing it, causing global warming.
- The IPCC (set up in 1988 by the WMO and UNEP) assesses the science; the UNFCCC (1992) is the treaty under which countries negotiate at annual COPs.
- India has pledged net-zero emissions by 2070 and has updated its national climate targets (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
Major Greenhouse Gases
| Gas | Main sources | Global warming potential (100 years, IPCC AR5) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon dioxide (CO₂) | Burning coal, oil and gas; deforestation; cement | 1 (the reference gas) |
| Methane (CH₄) | Paddy fields, livestock, landfills, gas leaks | About 28 |
| Nitrous oxide (N₂O) | Nitrogen fertilisers, industry | About 265 |
| Fluorinated gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF₆) | Refrigeration, air-conditioning, electrical equipment | Hundreds to tens of thousands |
The Kyoto Protocol covered six gases — CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, HFCs, PFCs and SF₆; NF₃ was added later. Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas but is not regulated, as its level depends on temperature.
The Ozone Layer Is a Different Problem
Stratospheric ozone absorbs harmful UV-B radiation. It is destroyed by chlorine and bromine from CFCs and halons, creating the ozone hole over Antarctica each spring. The Vienna Convention (1985) and Montreal Protocol (1987) phased out these chemicals; the Kigali Amendment (2016) extended the protocol to HFCs, which do not harm ozone but are powerful greenhouse gases. World Ozone Day is September 16.
IPCC set up1988
UNFCCC1992, Rio
Paris Agreement2015 (COP21)
India net zero2070
NAPCC2008, 8 missions
Emission intensity cut45% by 2030 vs 2005
The UNFCCC Timeline
| Year | Meeting | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Rio Earth Summit | UNFCCC signed; principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" |
| 1995 | COP1, Berlin | First Conference of the Parties |
| 1997 | COP3, Kyoto | Kyoto Protocol — binding cuts for developed countries only; in force 2005 |
| 2015 | COP21, Paris | Paris Agreement — all countries submit NDCs; keep warming well below 2°C and pursue 1.5°C; International Solar Alliance launched by India and France |
| 2021 | COP26, Glasgow | India announced net zero by 2070 and the five-point Panchamrit |
| 2022 | COP27, Sharm el-Sheikh | Agreement to set up a Loss and Damage Fund |
| 2023 | COP28, Dubai | First Global Stocktake; call to "transition away from fossil fuels" |
| 2024 | COP29, Baku | New climate finance goal (NCQG) of at least $300 billion a year by 2035 |
| 2025 | COP30, Belém (Brazil) | First COP held in the Amazon |
India's Climate Commitments
- Updated NDC (August 2022): reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels; have 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030; create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent through forests and tree cover. India reached this 50% share of installed capacity in June 2025, five years early — though coal still supplies most of the electricity actually generated.
- Panchamrit (COP26): 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030; 50% of energy requirements from renewables by 2030; cut projected emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030; reduce carbon intensity by 45%; and net zero by 2070.
- Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), launched in October 2022, promotes sustainable individual choices.
National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008)
Released in 2008, the NAPCC has eight national missions:
- National Solar Mission
- Enhanced Energy Efficiency
- Sustainable Habitat
- Water
- Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
- Green India
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change
States prepare their own State Action Plans on Climate Change in line with these missions.
- COP ↔ outcome: Kyoto (binding cuts), Paris (NDCs), Glasgow (India net zero 2070), Sharm el-Sheikh (loss and damage), Dubai (global stocktake), Baku (NCQG).
- India's NDC numbers: 45% intensity cut, 50% non-fossil capacity, 2.5–3 billion tonnes sink — options often mix these up with the Panchamrit figures.
- Ozone vs greenhouse effect: CFCs damage ozone; HFCs don't, but they warm the planet.
Q1. India announced its target of net-zero emissions by 2070 at:
✅ Answer: (b) COP26, Glasgow
💡 Explanation: The Prime Minister announced net zero by 2070 and the Panchamrit at COP26 in 2021.
Q2. Under its updated NDC, India aims to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 2030 (from 2005 levels) by:
✅ Answer: (c) 45%
💡 Explanation: The 2022 NDC raised the target from 33–35% to 45%.
Q3. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol targets:
✅ Answer: (a) Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
💡 Explanation: It phases down HFCs, which are potent greenhouse gases.
Q4. Which is NOT one of the eight missions under the NAPCC?
✅ Answer: (d) National Hydrogen Mission
💡 Explanation: The Green Hydrogen Mission came in 2023 and is not one of the original eight NAPCC missions.
Q5. The Loss and Damage Fund was agreed at:
✅ Answer: (d) COP27, Sharm el-Sheikh
💡 Explanation: Countries agreed at COP27 (2022) to set up the fund; it was operationalised at COP28.
🔁 Revise in 60 Seconds
- GWP (AR5): CO₂ 1, CH₄ ~28, N₂O ~265.
- Kyoto 1997 → Paris 2015 → Glasgow 2021 (net zero 2070) → Sharm 2022 (loss and damage) → Dubai 2023 (stocktake) → Baku 2024 ($300 bn).
- NDC 2022: 45% intensity cut, 50% non-fossil capacity, 2.5–3 bn t sink.
- NAPCC 2008: 8 missions.
📌 Prelims Traps to Avoid
- ✘ The Kyoto Protocol bound only developed countries; Paris covers all.
- ✘ HFCs are not ozone-depleting, but they are regulated under the Montreal Protocol via Kigali.
- ✘ The IPCC assesses science; it does not negotiate treaties.
What are India's NDC targets?
Under the NDC updated in August 2022, India aims to cut the emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels, have 50% of installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030, and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent.
What are the eight missions of the NAPCC?
National Solar Mission, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture and Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.