Comprehensive Notes
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
NISE Scientific Support Staff – Executive Assistant-I | Part II Technical | Renewable Energy
Basics
1. What is NAPCC?
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is India's national framework (policy) designed to
tackle climate change while ensuring the country continues to develop economically.
It works through two main approaches:
• Mitigation — reducing the causes of climate change (like cutting greenhouse gas emissions)
• Adaptation — adjusting to the effects of climate change that are already happening
Key Launch Facts:
• Launched in: 2008
• Launched by: Government of India
• Aligned with: UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)
2. Objectives of NAPCC
Objective What it means (Simple English)
Reduce GHG emission intensity Cut greenhouse gases released per unit of economic activity
Encourage use of solar, wind, and other clean energy
Promote renewable energy
sources
Improve energy efficiency Use less energy to do the same amount of work
Make people, cities, and ecosystems better able to handle
Build climate resilience
climate shocks
Support inclusive growth Ensure development benefits everyone, not just a few
3. The 8 National Missions Under NAPCC
NAPCC works through 8 National Missions, each focused on a specific area. These are the heart of the
plan.
Mission 1: National Solar Mission ■
• Focus: Expanding solar power generation across India
• Why important: Solar energy is clean, renewable, and reduces dependence on fossil fuels
• Status: Considered the flagship mission of NAPCC
Mission 2: National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) ■
• Focus: Saving energy across industries and sectors
• Key initiative: PAT (Perform, Achieve and Trade) scheme — industries that save more energy than
required can trade energy-saving certificates
• Goal: Reduce energy waste in the economy
Mission 3: National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (NMSH) ■
• Focus: Making cities and towns climate-resilient
• Key goal: Help cities 'bounce back better' after extreme climate events like floods or heatwaves
• Areas covered: Green buildings, sustainable transport systems
Mission 4: National Water Mission ■
• Focus: Water conservation and efficient water management
• Why important: Climate change affects rainfall patterns, glaciers, and river flows
• Goal: Ensure water security for all
Mission 5: National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem ■
• Focus: Protecting Himalayan glaciers and biodiversity
• Why important: Himalayas are the source of major rivers; glacial melting threatens water supply
• Covers: Glacier conservation, biodiversity protection
Mission 6: National Mission for a Green India ■
• Focus: Increasing India's forest cover
• Why important: Forests absorb CO2 and act as carbon sinks (they store carbon and reduce it from
the atmosphere)
• Goal: Expand and improve forest ecosystems
Mission 7: National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) ■
• Focus: Making Indian farming climate-resilient
• Per Drop More Crop: Promotes micro-irrigation (drip irrigation and sprinkler systems) to use water
efficiently
• Rainfed Area Development: Promotes Integrated Farming System (IFS) — combining crops,
livestock, and other farm activities
Mission 8: National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change ■
• Focus: Building research capacity and knowledge on climate change
• Goal: Support informed decision-making through science and research
• Covers: Capacity building, training, and climate science
4. NAPCC's Strategy
NAPCC adopts a multi-pronged strategy — meaning it attacks the problem of climate change from many
angles at the same time, including:
• Adaptation (adjusting to climate impacts)
• Resilience-building (making systems stronger)
• Social protection (protecting vulnerable communities)
Special focus areas include:
• Climate-resilient infrastructure
• Climate-resilient agriculture
• Climate-resilient cities
• Biodiversity protection
5. State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC)
• 34 States/UTs have prepared or updated their own State Action Plans on Climate Change
(SAPCC)
• These are aligned with the national NAPCC
• They cover both sectoral (specific industry) and cross-sectoral (across multiple areas) actions
• States take responsibility for local climate action based on their own geography and needs
6. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation
Biodiversity Governance
• Governed by the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• Key institutions: National Biodiversity Authority | State Biodiversity Boards | UT Councils
• 50 Biodiversity Heritage Sites have been designated
• People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) — local records of biodiversity maintained by communities
National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP)
• Aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) — an international
agreement
• Sets 23 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs)
• Uses 142 indicators to measure progress
• Follows a 'Whole of Government & Whole of Society' approach — every department and every
citizen has a role
7. Biodiversity Hotspots and Flagship Conservation Programmes
Key Hotspot Regions:
• Western Ghats
• Himalayas
• North-East India
Flagship Wildlife Programmes:
• Snow Leopard Project
• Himalayan Wildlife Project
• Recovery programmes for: Hangul (Kashmir stag), Musk Deer, Himalayan Monal (a bird)
8. Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ)
• Special protected buffer areas around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries
• Notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Act as 'Shock Absorbers' — reduce pressure on protected areas from nearby human activities
• 120 ESZs have been notified in biodiversity hotspots across India
9. Biosphere Reserves
Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are large areas of protected ecosystems where sustainable development is
also allowed in surrounding zones.
Category Number
Total Biosphere Reserves in India 18
UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) 12
Under consideration for UNESCO listing 6
10. Wildlife Conservation — Key Numbers
Tigers ■
• Tiger population (2022): 3,682
• Number of Tiger Reserves: 58
• Area covered: ~2.5% of India's geographical area
• Managed by: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
Elephants ■
• Project Elephant launched: 1992
• Elephant population (2017): 29,964
• Elephant Reserves: 33 reserves across 14 States
11. Human–Wildlife Conflict
• Primary responsibility: State Governments and Union Territories
• Central government support provided under Project Tiger and Project Elephant
• Guidelines on Human-Elephant Conflict issued in 2023
• Field Manual for managing conflict issued on 29 April 2022
12. NAPCC's Link with India's Broader Climate Goals
Goal What it means
Net Zero by 2070 India aims to have zero net carbon emissions by 2070
NDCs (Nationally Determined India's pledges to the international community under the
Contributions) Paris Agreement
Lifestyle for Environment — promoting eco-friendly daily
LiFE Movement
habits
Vision of a fully developed India by 2047, with sustainability
Viksit Bharat 2047
as a pillar
13. Importance of NAPCC
• Helps India balance economic growth with environmental protection
• Supports India's long-term climate goals at national and international levels
• Ensures sustainable development — growth that doesn't damage the environment for future
generations
• Brings together government, states, science, communities, and international frameworks into one
coordinated plan
■ Quick Revision Section
Must-Know Facts:
• NAPCC launched: 2008 | By Government of India | Aligned with UNFCCC
• Total National Missions: 8
• Flagship Mission: National Solar Mission
• NMSH focus: Urban climate resilience — cities bounce back better
• NMSA focus: Climate-resilient agriculture
• Per Drop More Crop: Promotes micro-irrigation (drip & sprinkler)
• Rainfed Area Development: Promotes Integrated Farming System (IFS)
• SAPCCs prepared by: 34 States/UTs
• Biodiversity Act: 2002
• Biodiversity Heritage Sites: 50
• Biosphere Reserves: 18 total | 12 UNESCO-listed
• ESZs notified: 120 | Act as 'Shock Absorbers'
• Tiger population (2022): 3,682
• Tiger Reserves: 58
• Project Elephant launched: 1992
• Elephant population (2017): 29,964
• Elephant Reserves: 33 in 14 States
• Human-Elephant Conflict Guidelines issued: 2023
• NBSAP aligned with: Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)
• National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs): 23 | Indicators: 142
• India's Net Zero target: 2070
The 8 Missions — Quick Memory Table
# Mission Key Word
1 National Solar Mission Solar ■
2 National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency Efficiency ■
3 National Mission on Sustainable Habitat Cities ■
4 National Water Mission Water ■
5 National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem Himalayas ■
6 National Mission for a Green India Forests ■
7 National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture Farming ■
8 National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change Research ■
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