PMO forms executive panel on implementing the 8 missions of the NAPCC

A secretary level committee has been constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to assist the PM’s council on climate change in implementing the 8 missions of the National Action Plan of Climate Change (NAPCC).
The absence of Inter-ministerial coordination has crippled the implementation of the missions resulting in the setting up of the executive panel on climate change to be headed by principal secretary to Prime Minister Pulok Chatterji.

What is the job of the panel:
The committee will regularly monitor the implementation of the eight missions, other climate change initiatives and advise the Prime Minister’s council on modifications in the objectives, strategies and structure of the missions.
The Prime Minister’s council on climate change was formed in 2007, in order to co-ordinate national action for assessment, adaptation and mitigation of climate change.

What is NAPCC and what are its 8 missions:

 NAPCC is a comprehensive action plan which outlines measures on climate change related adaptation and mitigation while simultaneously advancing development. The 8 Missions form the core of the Plan, representing multi-pronged, long termed and integrated strategies for achieving goals in the context of climate change. The Eight Missions are:

I. National Solar Mission
Objective:

• Make solar energy competitive with fossil-based energy options.
• Launch an R&D programme facilitating international co-operation to enable the creation of affordable, more convenient solar energy systems.
• Promote innovations for sustained, long-term storage and use of solar power.

II. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

• The Energy Conservation Act of 2001 provides a legal mandate for the implementation of energy efficiency measures through the mechanisms of The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in the designated agencies in the country.
• A number of schemes and programmes have been initiated which aim to save about 10,000 MW by the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan in 2012.

III. National Mission on Sustainable Habitats
Objective:

• Make habitats sustainable through improvements in energy efficiency in buildings, management of solid waste and a modal shift to public transport.
• Promote energy efficiency as an integral component of urban planning and urban renewal through its initiatives.

IV. National Water Mission
Objective:

• Conserving water, minimizing wastage, and ensuring more equitable distribution and management of water resources.
• Optimizing water use efficiency by 20% by developing a framework of regulatory mechanisms.

V. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
Objective:

• Empowering local communities especially Panchayats to play a greater role in managing ecological resources.
• Reaffirm the measures mentioned in the National Environment Policy, 2006.

VI. National Mission for a Green India
Objective:

• To increase ecosystem services including carbon sinks.
• To increase forest and tree cover in India to 33% from current 23%.

VII. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
Objective:

• Make Indian agriculture more resilient to climate change by identifying new varieties of crops (example: thermally resistant crops) and alternative cropping patterns.
• Make suggestions for safeguarding farmers from climate change like introducing new credit and insurance mechanisms and greater access to information.

VIII. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change
Objective:

• Work with the global community in research and technology development by collaboration through different mechanisms. It also has its own research agenda supported by climate change related institutions and a Climate Research Fund.
• Encourage initiatives from the private sector for developing innovative technologies for mitigation and adaptation.