Correct Answer
(b) 1 and 2
Explanation of the Correct Answer
The correct relationships among the statements are 1 and 2.
Statement I
India’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
This statement is correct.
- India submitted its LT-LEDS to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2022.
- It provides a long-term framework for India’s transition towards low-emission development.
- It is linked with India’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
Statement II
India’s Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4), submitted in December 2024, recorded around 8% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 over 2019.
This statement is correct.
- India’s BUR-4 reported a decline of around 8% in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 compared to 2019.
- This provides empirical evidence of India’s climate reporting and emission-reduction trajectory.
Statement III
Climate-resilient development necessarily depends on quick and short-term achievement of emission reduction targets.
This statement is incorrect.
- Climate-resilient development does not depend only on quick and short-term emission reduction.
- It requires a broader and long-term approach involving:
- adaptation
- mitigation
- sustainable infrastructure
- clean energy transition
- resilient agriculture
- climate finance
- behavioural and technological changes
Now, examining the relationship statements:
| Relationship Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|
| 1. Statement I is empirically supported by Statement II | Correct | BUR-4 provides measurable evidence of emission reduction, supporting India’s broader climate-action pathway. |
| 2. Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in Statement I | Correct | LT-LEDS is a long-term strategy, while Statement III wrongly emphasizes quick short-term emission reduction as necessary. |
| 3. Statement I and Statement III together establish the premise of long-term sustainability | Incorrect | Statement III contradicts the long-term logic of LT-LEDS and therefore cannot establish long-term sustainability with Statement I. |
Therefore, the correct answer is (b) 1 and 2.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
| Option | Verdict | Explanation |
|---|
| (a) 1 only | Incorrect | Relationship 1 is correct, but relationship 2 is also correct. |
| (b) 1 and 2 | Correct | Statement II supports India’s climate-action trajectory, and Statement III contradicts the long-term approach of LT-LEDS. |
| (c) 2 and 3 | Incorrect | Relationship 2 is correct, but relationship 3 is incorrect because Statement III does not support long-term sustainability. |
| (d) 3 only | Incorrect | Relationship 3 is incorrect. |
Relevant Supplementary Information
India’s Climate Change Response: Key Instruments
| Instrument / Report | Year / Date | Purpose / Importance |
|---|
| National Action Plan on Climate Change | 2008 | India’s broad domestic climate policy framework |
| Nationally Determined Contributions | Updated in 2022 | India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement |
| Panchamrit commitments | Announced in 2021 | India’s five major climate commitments, including net-zero by 2070 |
| LT-LEDS | Submitted in 2022 | Long-term low-emission development pathway |
| BUR-4 | Submitted in December 2024 | Updated greenhouse gas inventory and climate-action reporting |
| Net-zero target | 2070 | India’s long-term decarbonization goal |
LT-LEDS vs Short-Term Emission Reduction Approach
| Basis | LT-LEDS Approach | Statement III Approach |
|---|
| Time horizon | Long-term, up to 2070 | Quick and short-term |
| Nature | Structural transition | Immediate target-focused approach |
| Scope | Economy-wide transformation | Narrow focus on emission reduction |
| Includes adaptation? | Yes, indirectly through sustainable development pathways | Not adequately |
| Development concern | Balances growth, equity and climate goals | May ignore development and equity concerns |
| Verdict | Supports climate-resilient development | Contradicts the long-term approach |
What Climate-Resilient Development Requires
| Component | Meaning |
|---|
| Mitigation | Reducing greenhouse gas emissions |
| Adaptation | Adjusting to climate impacts such as floods, heatwaves and droughts |
| Resilient infrastructure | Building infrastructure that can withstand climate risks |
| Clean energy transition | Increasing renewable and non-fossil energy sources |
| Sustainable agriculture | Climate-smart farming, water efficiency and crop resilience |
| Disaster preparedness | Reducing vulnerability to extreme weather events |
| Climate finance | Mobilizing funds for mitigation and adaptation |
| Just transition | Ensuring that climate action does not harm vulnerable groups |
Key Takeaways from the Tables
- LT-LEDS is India’s long-term strategy for low-emission development and net-zero by 2070.
- BUR-4 provides measurable evidence of India’s climate action and emission trends.
- A short-term fall in emissions supports India’s climate-response trajectory, but climate-resilient development requires a long-term structural transition.
- Statement III is incorrect because it reduces climate resilience to quick short-term emission cuts.
- Therefore, relationship statements 1 and 2 are correct, while 3 is incorrect.
| Point | Explanation |
|---|
| LT-LEDS = long-term strategy | It guides India’s low-emission development pathway toward net-zero by 2070. |
| BUR-4 = reporting document | It provides updated emissions data and climate-action reporting. |
| BUR-4 recorded around 8% emissions decline in 2020 | This supports India’s climate-response trajectory. |
| Climate resilience is broader than emission cuts | It includes adaptation, infrastructure, finance, disaster preparedness and equity. |
| Statement III-type short-termism is flawed | Quick emission reduction alone cannot define climate-resilient development. |
| India’s climate policy is development-linked | It balances economic growth, poverty reduction, energy security and climate action. |
Context and Current Relevance
- India’s climate policy emphasizes equity, development, energy security and long-term sustainability.
- The LT-LEDS reflects India’s view that net-zero must be achieved through a gradual, just and economy-wide transition.
- BUR-4 is important because it updates India’s greenhouse gas inventory and demonstrates progress in climate reporting.
Table: India’s Climate Change Response: Key Instruments and Reports
| Instrument / Report | Year / Date | Full Form / Meaning | Purpose / Importance |
|---|
| NAPCC | 2008 | National Action Plan on Climate Change | India’s broad domestic climate policy framework through national missions |
| National Solar Mission | 2010 | One of the missions under NAPCC | Promotes solar energy capacity and clean power transition |
| National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency | 2010 | Mission under NAPCC | Promotes energy efficiency in industries and appliances |
| Paris Agreement | 2015 | Global climate agreement under UNFCCC | Framework for Nationally Determined Contributions |
| India’s First NDC | 2015 | Nationally Determined Contribution | India’s initial Paris Agreement climate commitments |
| Panchamrit Commitments | 2021 | Five climate commitments announced at COP26 | Included India’s target of net-zero by 2070 |
| Updated NDC | 2022 | Updated Nationally Determined Contribution | Strengthened India’s targets on emissions intensity and non-fossil electricity capacity |
| LT-LEDS | 2022 | Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy | Long-term pathway for low-emission development and net-zero by 2070 |
| BUR-4 | December 2024 | Fourth Biennial Update Report | Updated GHG inventory and climate-action reporting |
| Net-zero Target | 2070 | Long-term decarbonization goal | India aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 |
Table: India’s Panchamrit Climate Commitments
| Commitment | Meaning | Importance |
|---|
| 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 | Expanding renewable and non-fossil electricity capacity | Supports clean energy transition |
| 50% energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030 | Increasing renewable share in energy use | Reduces dependence on fossil fuels |
| Reduction of total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030 | Avoiding projected emissions growth | Supports mitigation |
| Reduction of carbon intensity of economy by 45% by 2030 | Lower emissions per unit of GDP | Allows development with lower emissions |
| Net-zero emissions by 2070 | Long-term balance between emissions and removals | India’s long-term climate goal |
Table: LT-LEDS vs BUR-4
| Basis | LT-LEDS | BUR-4 |
|---|
| Full form | Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy | Fourth Biennial Update Report |
| Submitted to | UNFCCC | UNFCCC |
| Nature | Strategy document | Reporting document |
| Time horizon | Long-term, linked to 2070 net-zero | Periodic climate reporting |
| Main purpose | Provides pathway for low-emission development | Provides GHG inventory and climate-action update |
| Focus | Structural transition across sectors | Emissions data, mitigation actions, constraints and support needs |
| Relation to net-zero | Directly linked to net-zero by 2070 | Provides empirical emissions and progress data |
| Policy role | Guides long-term planning | Tracks and reports progress |
Table: India’s BUR-4: Important Points
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Report | Fourth Biennial Update Report |
| Submitted | December 2024 |
| Submitted to | UNFCCC |
| Inventory year highlighted | 2020 |
| Key emissions finding | Around 8% decrease in GHG emissions in 2020 compared to 2019 |
| Likely context of decrease | 2020 saw reduced economic activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic period |
| Importance | Provides updated emissions inventory and climate-action progress |
| Use in question | Empirical support for India’s climate response trajectory |
Table: Climate-Resilient Development: Components
| Component | Meaning | Why It Matters |
|---|
| Mitigation | Reducing greenhouse gas emissions | Limits future climate change |
| Adaptation | Adjusting to climate impacts | Reduces vulnerability to floods, heatwaves, droughts and other risks |
| Resilient infrastructure | Infrastructure designed for climate risks | Prevents damage from extreme weather |
| Clean energy transition | Shift toward renewables and non-fossil energy | Reduces fossil fuel dependence |
| Sustainable agriculture | Climate-smart farming, efficient irrigation and crop resilience | Protects food security |
| Water security | Efficient and sustainable water management | Important for drought-prone and flood-prone regions |
| Disaster risk reduction | Preparedness for extreme weather events | Saves lives and reduces economic losses |
| Climate finance | Funding for mitigation and adaptation | Enables developing countries to implement climate action |
| Just transition | Protecting vulnerable workers and communities during transition | Ensures climate action is equitable |
Table: Long-Term Strategy vs Short-Term Emission Target Approach
| Basis | Long-Term Strategy Approach | Quick Short-Term Target Approach |
|---|
| Time horizon | Long-term, gradual and structural | Immediate and short-term |
| Policy scope | Economy-wide transition | Narrow focus on emission numbers |
| Development compatibility | Balances growth, equity and climate action | May ignore development needs |
| Climate resilience | Includes adaptation, mitigation and sustainability | Mostly mitigation-focused |
| India’s approach | LT-LEDS and net-zero by 2070 | Not the sole basis of India’s climate policy |
| Risk | Requires sustained implementation | May create unrealistic or inequitable pressure |
| Better for India | Long-term low-emission development pathway | Useful only as part of a broader strategy |
Table: Common Confusions in India’s Climate Policy
| Confusion | Correct Understanding |
|---|
| LT-LEDS is the same as NDC | Incorrect. NDCs are medium-term commitments; LT-LEDS is a long-term strategy. |
| BUR is a policy strategy | Incorrect. BUR is a reporting document submitted to the UNFCCC. |
| Net-zero by 2070 means zero emissions immediately | Incorrect. It means balancing emissions and removals by 2070. |
| Climate-resilient development means only emission reduction | Incorrect. It includes adaptation, resilience, mitigation, finance and equity. |
| Short-term emission reduction alone ensures climate resilience | Incorrect. Long-term structural transformation is necessary. |
| India’s 2020 emissions fall alone proves net-zero success | Incorrect. It supports the climate-action trajectory but does not alone prove long-term success. |
| Renewable energy target and net-zero target are identical | Incorrect. Renewable energy expansion is one pathway toward net-zero. |