Climate Change Performance Index 2023

• 23 Nov 2022

Why in News?

India has ranked 8^th in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2023.

• India ranked 10th in CCPI, 2022.

What is CCPI?

• About:
  • Published by:
    • Germanwatch, the New Climate Institute and the Climate Action Network annually since 2005.
  • Scope:
    • It is an independent monitoring tool for tracking the climate protection performance of 59 countries and the European Union.
      • These countries collectively account for more than 92% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions.
  • Aim:
    • It aims to enhance transparency in international climate politics and enables comparison of climate protection efforts and progress made by individual countries.
  • Criteria:
    • The CCPI looks at four categories, with 14 indicators: GHG Emissions (40% of the overall score), Renewable Energy (20%), Energy Use (20%), and Climate Policy (20%).
• CCPI 2023:
  • Overall Performance (Country-wise):
    • No country performs well enough in all index categories to achieve an overall very high rating.
      • The first three overall positions therefore remain empty.
    • Denmark, Sweden, Chile and Morocco were the only four small countries that were ranked above India as 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th respectively.
    • The ranking given by CCPI places India as the only G-20 country in the top 10 rankers.
    • The United Kingdom ranked 11^th in CCPI 2023.
    • China falls ranked 51^st in CCPI 2023 and received an overall very low rating.
    • The United States (US) rises three ranks to 52^nd that’s still overall very low rating.
    • The Islamic Republic of Iran ranked 63^rd, hence, placing it last in the CCPI 2023.
  • India’s Status:
    • Performance:
      • India-+ has been ranked amongst top 5 countries in the world, and the best among the G20 countries.
      • India’s rank is the best amongst all large economies.
      • India earns a high rating in the GHG Emissions and Energy Use categories, with a medium for Climate Policy and Renewable Energy.
      • The country is on track to meet its 2030 emissions targets (compatible with a well-below 2°C scenario).
        • However, the renewable energy pathway is not on track for the 2030 target.
    • Concerns:
      • Since the last CCPI, India has updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and announced a net zero target for 2070. However, roadmaps and concrete action plans for achieving the targets are missing.
      • India is among the nine countries responsible for 90% of global coal production. It also plans to increase its oil, gas, and oil production by over 5% by 2030.
        • This is incompatible with the 1.5°C target.
    • Suggestions:
      • The experts suggested to lay stress on a just and inclusive energy transition, as well as the need for decentralised renewable energy and capacities for rooftop photovoltaics.
      • A carbon pricing mechanism, the need for more capacities at the subnational level, and concrete action plans for achieving the targets are key demands.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of (2016)

(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 the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

(d) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals

Ans: (b)

Exp:

• Intended Nationally Determined Contributions is the term used under the UNFCCC for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in all countries that signed the Paris Agreement.
• At COP 21 countries across the globe publicly outlined the actions they intended to take under the international agreement. The contributions are in the direction to achieve the long-term goal of the Paris Agreement; “to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C, and to achieve net zero emissions in the second half of this century.”
• Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Source: PIB