Panchamrit: Meaning, Background, Objectives & Significance - UPSC Notes

The term 'Panchamrit' refers to a significant commitment made by India at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021. Panchamrit, which translates to 'five nectars' in Sanskrit, symbolizes India’s five-point action plan to combat climate change and transition towards a cleaner, greener future. This commitment was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and represents a pivotal step in India's climate policy, aiming to harmonize economic growth with environmental sustainability.

This topic is highly relevant to General Studies Paper III under the Environment and Ecology section of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It covers critical areas such as commitments towards climate change, sustainable development, and international cooperation on environmental issues, so important for both prelims and mains examinations.

What is the Panchamrit Strategy?

The Panchamrit Strategy contains five key pledges by India to address climate change issues by 2030 and beyond. It involves a major leap in the non-fossil energy capacity, reducing carbon emissions, and net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. This ambitious strategy resonates with the world to contain the increase in the global temperature and adverse impact of climate change. There are five components in the Panchamrit Strategy:

• India will increase its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
• Renewable energy will form 50% of India's energy basket by 2030.
• India will abate one billion tonnes of total projected carbon emissions from now till 2030.
• India will bring its economy's carbon intensity level below 45% by 2030.
• Net-zero emissions will be attained by the year 2070.

Background of Panchamrit

To understand the Panchamrit Strategy, it is imperative to look at the broader context of India's climate policies and international commitments. India, as a developing nation, has the dual challenge of fostering economic development while ensuring environmental sustainability. Historically, India's climate policies have focused on balancing growth with sustainability. India's participation in the Paris Agreement 2015 was a significant step towards aligning itself with global climate goals. The Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, saw India pledging to reduce its emissions intensity and increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its energy mix.

The Panchamrit Strategy represents a continuation and intensification of these efforts, building upon past commitments and setting more ambitious targets in response to the growing urgency of climate action.

Read the article on Climate Change in India!

Key Objectives of the Panchamrit Strategy

The Panchamrit Strategy's goals can be broadly categorized into short-term milestones and a long-term vision as follows:

• Increase Non-Fossil Energy Capacity: The country has set an ambition to increase non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. It will involve major investments in solar, wind, and other sources of renewable energy, thereby aiming to diversify the energy mix and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
• Meet 50% of Energy Needs Through Renewable Energy: This goal emphasizes a fundamental shift in energy policy, where there is an increase in the scale-up of renewable energy infrastructure to ensure that 50% of the energy needs of the country would be sourced from renewable energy by 2030.
• Reduce Projected Carbon Emissions: India commits to reducing its total projected emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030. That will be achieved by implementing a combination of policy measures that will enhance energy efficiency, enhance carbon sinks, and move to cleaner technologies.
• Reduce the carbon intensity of the economy: This includes reducing the emissions intensity of GDP by 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 to decouple economic growth from carbon emissions and promote green growth and sustainable development.
• Achieve Net-Zero Emissions by 2070: The long-term objective of the Panchamrit Strategy is to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, which means that any greenhouse gas emissions will be balanced by equivalent carbon removal efforts, such as afforestation and carbon capture technologies.

Read the article on the National Action Plan on Climate Change!

Significance of Panchamrit

The Panchamrit Strategy is significant for India and the global community:

India leads in the international arena through setting bold targets and contributes to the global efforts to combat climate change and sets an example for other developing countries.

• Energy Security: This transition to renewable energy will ensure greater energy security in the country by reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels, thus mitigating energy price volatility and enhancing self-sufficiency.
• Economic Growth: Renewable energy and green technologies investments are said to spur economic growth because they create jobs, spur innovation, and attract green finance.
• Environmental Sustainability: The reduction in carbon emissions and increase in renewable energy use contribute to environmental sustainability, helping to mitigate adverse impacts such as pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate-induced disasters.
• Social Benefits: It can reduce air pollution in addition to offering cleaner options that can enhance public health and quality of life outcomes.

Read the article on the Climate Change Performance Index!

Issues Associated with the Implementation of the Panchamrit Strategy

Despite the ambitious plans by the Indian government with its Panchamrit strategy, it faces multiple barriers to successful implementation.

• Financial Constraints: The targets will require massive investments in finance. Mobilizing the required domestic and international funding, especially in a post-pandemic economic scenario, is a big challenge.
• Technological Barriers: Switching to renewable energy and enhancing energy efficiency requires advanced technologies and infrastructure development, which needs technological innovation and capacity building.
• Policy Implementation: Policy coherence and effective governance across various levels of government are a necessity. Climate policies have to be integrated with economic and social policies for good outcomes.
• Socio-Economic Impacts: Transitioning to a greener economy should be just and equitable in addressing the social and economic disruption that it will bring, such as loss of jobs in the fossil fuel industry and helping affected communities.
• International Cooperation: Robust international cooperation is required, especially regarding knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and climate finance.

Read the article on Global Warming and Climate Change!

Way Forward

To accomplish the Panchamrit Strategy effectively, a multifaceted approach is required:

• Strengthening Policy Frameworks: This would include improving the policy frameworks to streamline and integrate climate action plans with national development agendas. Strong policies will help create the necessary roadmap to meet the targets.
• Mobilizing Finance: India needs both domestic and international financial machinery. It needs to attract climate finance via instruments like green bonds while securing international aid and investment.
• Fostering Research and Innovation: Over the technological barriers, research could be encouraged in renewable energy technologies and sustainable practices. Centers of excellence and nurturing public-private partnerships can propel innovation.
• Building Capabilities: The skills and capacities of the workforce have to be developed to face new green technologies and practices. Training programs and education initiatives will help in such a transition.
• International Co-operation: Strengthening ties with other nations, participating in global climate forums, and adhering to international climate agreements can facilitate India's Panchamrit goals through shared knowledge and resources.

Read the article on World Climate and Climate Change!

Conclusion

The Panchamrit Strategy is a significant achievement in India's climate policy, which tries to merge economic development with environmental protection. Ambitious targets of India show the country's commitment to global climate change challenges. But it's a challenge that requires finance, technology, and a policy push. The way forward will be government support, industry support, and international cooperation for achieving such a vision of a future that is sustainable and resilient.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants Climate Pledge: Announced by India during COP26 in Glasgow, Panchamrit is a five-fold strategy to combat climate change, portraying India's commitment. Five Key Commitments: Non-Fossil Energy Capacity: Increase to 500 GW by 2030. Renewable Energy Usage: 50% of energy needs from renewables by 2030. Reduction of Carbon Emissions: One billion tonnes by 2030. Carbon Intensity Reduction: To less than 45% by 2030 from the level in 2005. Net-Zero Emissions: Achieved by 2070. Strategic Importance: Reflects India's proactive role in global climate efforts, as it is adhering to the Paris Agreement goals. Focus on Renewables: Solar, wind, biomass, and other renewable sources are at the core, aiming to replace fossil fuels. Economic Transition: Large-scale transformation of the energy infrastructure, and support for green technologies and sustainable practices within all industries. Key Challenges: Acquiring technological, financial, and human resources to meet these ambitious targets; balancing the energy transition without major economic costs. Global Impact: India would become a responsible global citizen in climate negotiations and build more diplomatic leverage. Policy Framework: It requires sound implementation strategies including financial incentives, regulatory reforms, and public-private partnerships to achieve the target.

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