Chapter 11 · Topic 11.2 · Prelims + Mains2 of 3
Environmental Ethics: Climate justice
Key points
- Climate justice; NDC targets.
1 PYQ 2014–2023
Prelims box: facts and traps
| Item | 2015 NDC (target) (target) |
|---|---|
| Emissions intensity of GDP (vs 2005) | 33 to 35% cut by 45% cut by 2030 2030 |
| Non-fossil share of installed power capacity | 40% by 2030 about 50% by 2030 |
| Additional carbon sink | 2.5 to 3 billion (retained) tonnes CO2e. |
- Source: PIB, Union Cabinet decision, 3 August 2022.
- The carbon-sink row for 2022 is shown as 'retained' because the release lists only the two updated targets.
Climate justice
Mains 2024: Global warming and climate change are the outcomes of human greed in the name of development. How do you put an end to this to protect life and bring equilibrium between the society and the environment? Climate justice means that those who caused the least emissions (poor countries, poor people, future generations) suffer the most, so burdens must be shared fairly: historic emitters cut faster and help with finance and technology, while individuals moderate consumption.
Global warming and climate change are the outcomes of human greed in the name of development, indicating the direction in which extinction of organisms including human beings is heading towards loss of life on Earth. How do you put an end to this to protect life and bring equilibrium between the society and the environment?
India’s commitments are targets, not achievements. The updated Nationally Determined Contribution (approved 3 August 2022) commits India to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030 from the 2005 level and to achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030; the long-term goal is net-zero by 2070. It also promotes LiFE, ‘Lifestyle for Environment’, as a mass movement (PIB, 3 August 2022).
| Item | 2015 NDC (target) | Updated NDC 2022 (target) |
|---|---|---|
| Emissions intensity of GDP (vs 2005) | 33 to 35% cut by 2030 | 45% cut by 2030 |
| Non-fossil share of installed power capacity | 40% by 2030 | about 50% by 2030 |
| Additional carbon sink | 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes CO2e | (retained) |
Targets only, not measured progress. Source: PIB, Union Cabinet decision, 3 August 2022. The carbon-sink row for 2022 is shown as ‘retained’ because the release lists only the two updated targets.
Mains box: analysis and answer points
- Likely next angle: LiFE
- Asked: Mains 2024 (GS Paper IV, 10 marks): Global warming and climate change are the outcomes of human greed in the name of development, indicating the direction in which extinction of organisms including human beings is heading towards loss of life on Earth. How do you put an end to this to protect life and bring equilibrium between the society and the environment?
Practice
Prelims PYQs on this topic (1)
Read the passage
Along with sustainable lifestyles, climate justice is regarded as a significant principle in environmental parlance. Both the principles have bearings on political and economic choices of the nation. So far, in our climate change summits or compacts, both the principles have eluded consensus among nations. Justice, in the judicial sense, is well defined. However, in the context of climate change, it has scientific as well as socio-political connotations. The crucial question in the next few years will be how resources, technologies and regulations are used to support the victims of climate change. Justice in climate is not confined to actions relating to mitigation, but includes the wider notion of support for adaptation to climate change and compensation for loss and damage.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational and crucial message conveyed by the passage ?
Answer (a) & explanation
The crucial message is that climate justice should be built in detail into the rules of new climate agreements (a). Step 1: the passage says climate justice has "eluded consensus" in climate summits. Step 2: it says justice covers not just mitigation but also adaptation support and loss and damage. These need to be spelled out in agreements. That is (a). Step 3: option (b), uneven resources, and option (c), climate refugees, are not the main point. Option (d) blames developed countries, which the passage does not state.
Tip: a Loss and Damage Fund was agreed at COP27 (2022) and made operational at COP28 (2023). It is a step toward the climate justice this passage discusses.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Write an answer
In 150 words, explain the significance of Environmental Ethics with one recent example.
Flashcards (7)
Climate justice?
Least responsible suffer most; share burdens fairly.
Updated NDC emissions-intensity target?
45% cut by 2030 from 2005 (target).
Updated NDC non-fossil target?
About 50% installed capacity by 2030 (target).
India's net-zero year?
2070 (goal).
2015 NDC intensity target?
33 to 35% by 2030.
Updated NDC approved?
3 August 2022.
LiFE stands for?
Lifestyle for Environment.
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