In a step towards achieving the long-term goal of transitioning a net-zero economy by 2030, India submitted an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on August 23, 2022. India is now committed to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels. In line with the updated NDC, India increased its cumulative energy savings target to 150 MTOE by 2030, with updated targets for all states and UTs. Since energy accounts for 75% of total greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency (EE) is imperative to emissions reductions. Energy efficiency, called the “first fuel” is a viable and cost-effective solution to address the pressing issues of climate change and energy security.
States must adopt a customised, holistic approach through coordination with all key stakeholders to integrate EE into the state economy to achieve the state goals on energy savings and reduction in emission intensity. The State Designated Agency (SDA) constituted in each state/UT under the Energy Conservation Act (EC Act) 2001, has been empowered to coordinate, regulate and enforce provisions of the EC Act within the state/UT.
