CLIMATE ACTION TRACKER (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: Climate Action Tracker, an independent scientific analysis that tracks government climate action and measures it against Paris Agreement goals, has updated its rating system and published it
recently.

Climate Action Tracker

• About: It is an independent research group with the aim of monitoring government action to achieve their reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with regard to international agreements.

oIt is tracking climate action in 32 countries responsible for over 80% of global emissions.

• Key highlights of the report:

oWorld scenario: Only Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco, Nepal and United Kingdom have been rated as “almost sufficient” and only Gambia is “sufficient” or 1.5 degree compatible.

üUSA, which used to be rated as “critically insufficient”, is now “insufficient” as per the new rating system.

oIndia’s efforts: India’s nationally determined contribution (NDC), which was rated as 2 degrees compatible or “almost sufficient”  by the Climate Action Tracker until last month, has now rated India as “highly insufficient” in its action and policies on climate change.

India’s NDC has three main elements: Emissions intensity target of 33%–35% below 2005 levels; electric power capacity target of 40% installed capacity from non-fossil-based energy resources by 2030); and creating a carbon sink of 2.5–3 GtCO2e through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.