CLIMATE CHANGE PERFORMANCE INDEX 2024

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: As per an annual report published on the sidelines of the ongoing COP28 at Dubai recently, India has been effectively ranked fourth in climate performance 2024.

EXPLANATION:

• India secured the seventh rank in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) for 2022, exhibiting an improvement from its eighth position last year.
• Despite this, India effectively stands fourth as no country occupies the top three ranks in the ‘very high’ performance category.
• The report was released during COP28 in Dubai, highlighting India’s score of 70.25% in climate performance, a notable increase from its 67.35% score the previous year.

Top Performing Countries and India’s Position

• Denmark retained the top position in the index with a score of 75.59%, followed by Estonia and the Philippines in the second and third positions, respectively. India closely followed, securing the fourth position in the rankings. However, it is imperative to note that most developed countries witnessed a decline in their performance compared to the previous year.

Global Trends and Concerns Highlighted in the Report

• Global Emissions and Targets:
  • The report emphasizes the urgency for countries to peak their emissions by 2025 and halve their emissions by 2030 in comparison to 2020 levels to maintain the 1.5°C goal set in the Paris Agreement.
  • Despite this urgency, global greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2022, and atmospheric CO2 levels are now 50% higher than pre-industrial levels.
• Lack of Improvement in Global Performance:
  • An analysis showed that out of 64 assessed countries, 37 countries regressed in their performance from the previous year, and the positions of five countries remained unchanged.
  • This stagnation in progress toward reducing emissions is a significant concern outlined in the report.

Parameters Considered in Assessing Climate Performance

• The CCPI evaluates countries based on four key categories, each contributing to a percentage of the overall ranking:
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions (40%):
    • India ranked ninth in this category, attributed to its lower per capita energy use.
  • Renewable Energy (20%):
    • India ranked 37th, signalling a slight decline in performance from the preceding year, despite remaining within the ‘high’ performance category.
  • Energy Use (20%):
    • India ranked tenth due to its low per capita benchmark, contributing to a favorable assessment in this category.
  • Climate Policy (20%):
    • India also ranked tenth in Climate Policy, indicating moderate progress in policy initiatives for climate change mitigation.

India’s Energy Landscape and Coal Dependence

• Renewable Energy Progress:
  • While India shows a positive trend in renewable energy, the report highlights this progress as slow, leading to its 37th rank in the category.
• Challenges with Coal Usage:
  • India’s heavy reliance on coal to meet its escalating energy demands remains a significant concern.
  • The report underscores that despite efforts to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) through promoting renewable energy, the reliance on coal and fossil fuels leads to substantial greenhouse gas emissions and severe air pollution, particularly in urban areas.

Comparative Analysis with BASIC Group (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) and Developed Nations

• Performance of BASIC Countries:
  • Apart from India, other BASIC countries like China, Brazil, and South Africa showcase varying performances.
  • China retained its position from the previous year, while Brazil improved significantly by 15 positions.
  • South Africa experienced a slight decline in rank.
• Challenges for Developed Nations:
  • Developed countries like Italy, United Kingdom, France, Japan, and the United States witnessed a decline in their rankings, reflecting challenges in meeting climate goals and reducing emissions.

Conclusion and Concerns for Future Climate Action

• The CCPI report highlights India’s commendable performance in certain parameters but emphasizes the need for accelerated progress in renewable energy, reduced reliance on coal, and more robust climate policy measures.
• Globally, the report underlines the stagnation in climate performance and the urgency for countries, especially developed nations, to ramp up efforts to mitigate climate change and achieve emission reduction targets.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/cop28-india-had-fourth-best-ranking-in-climate-performance-among-countries-during-2022-says-report-93276