Environment & climate change

India - Environment & Climate Change overview

Country profile

• According to the Environmental Performance Index 2022, India ranks 180th out of 180 countries for environmental health and ecosystem performance.
• The CAT 2021 rates India’s NDC 2030 target as “highly insufficient”. This indicates that India’s climate commitment to 2030 is not within the range of what is considered to be a fair share of the global effort, based on responsibility and capability.
• The Government of India allocated a budget of approximately INR 2870 crores (AUD 503.2 Million) to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for 2021-22. 

Policies and Initiatives

• The National Environment Policy 2006 is a response to India’s national commitment to a clean environment. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) provides a sustainable development course of action that meets both economic and environmental goals at the same time.
• The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 regulates the protection and improvement of the environment. The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 led to the establishment of the National Green Tribunal, a specialised body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.
• A new Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), released in March 2020, aims to evaluate the possible environmental impacts of a proposed project or development. It takes into account the inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human health impacts. Environment Impact Assessment in India falls under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
• The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 regulates the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution in the country, so as to preserve and improve the quality of air. The National Clean Air Programme ensures fast implementation of mitigation measures to monitor and reduce air pollution.
• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 regulates the prevention and control of water pollution.
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a country-wide campaign launched by the Government of India in 2014 to eliminate open defecation sites and improve solid waste management.
• The PARIVESH portal aims to monitor the proposals submitted by proponents seeking Environment, Forest, Wildlife and Coastal Regulation Zone Clearances from Central, State and District level authorities.
• To spread awareness amongst youth and encourage their engagement in environmental programs, the Government launched various initiatives including the National Green Corps Eco-Club at the school level, as well as the Green Skill Development Programme and the Himalayan Research Fellowships at the tertiary level, to increase youth employment in environmentally-friendly occupations.
• Apart from the above, further legislation and policies are in place to address Pollution, mitigate Climate Change, conserve Biodiversity, Forest & Wildlife, and ensure better Waste Management.

Governance structure

In India, the Environment sector falls under the jurisdiction of both Central and State governments. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the agency responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating and overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry programs. There are 3 Divisions within the Ministry, namely the Establishment Division, Environment Division and the Forest & Wildlife Division. Other federal agencies involved in environmental issues are the Forest Survey of India, Central Pollution Control Board, National Green Tribunal, National Biodiversity Authority, and Animal Welfare Board of India.

Australia - Environment & Climate Change overview

Country profile

• According to the Environmental Performance Index 2022, Australia ranks 17th out of 180 countries for environmental health and ecosystem performance.
• The CAT 2022 rates Australia’s NDC 2030 target as “insufficient”. This indicates that Australia’s climate commitment to 2030 is inconsistent with the range of what is considered to be a fair share of the global effort, based on responsibility and capability.
• The Australian Government extended its 2015-2020 climate financial commitment, increasing it by 100 per cent to AUD 2 billion (11,019 crores) for the period 2020 to 2025.

Policies and initiatives

• The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian federal government’s primary legal tool to protect the environment and conserve biodiversity across Australia. Along with this, legislation has been put in place by the Government of Australia with the mandate to protect the environment.
• The National Environment Protection Council established under the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 has the primary function of forming National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs) and reporting on the implementation and effectiveness of those NEPMs.
• The Reef 2050 Program is a long-term sustainability program of the Australian and Queensland Governments’ overarching framework for protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef to 2050.
• The Australian Government has invested AUD 200 million for wildlife habitat recovery following the impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires.
• Emissions:
  • Renewable energy targets set up with legislation and policy at both federal and state levels have played a significant role in reducing emissions and transitioning to clean energy.
  • The Carbon Farming Initiative is a voluntary carbon offsets scheme. It is an integral component of the Emissions Reduction Fund and allows land managers and businesses to earn carbon credits by changing land use or management practices to store carbon or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A review of the carbon reduction fund was released in October 2020.
  • The Clean Energy Regulator is an independent statutory authority which administers Carbon Emission schemes legislated by the Australian Government.
• The Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 provides a national framework to manage waste and recycling across Australia.
• The Technology Investment Roadmap: First Low Emissions Technology Statement 2020 presents a vision of a prosperous Australia, recognised as a global low emissions technology leader.

Governance structure

Under Australia’s federal system of government, responsibility for environmental issues is shared by the Australian Government and state/territory governments. Due to the constitutional division of powers between federal and state governments in Australia, much of the important operational environmental legislation is governed at the state level. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is the ministry whose purpose is to lead Australia's response to climate change and sustainable energy use, and to protect the environment, heritage and water. Several federal agencies, government boards and structures help the Department with its portfolio. The Climate Change Authority is an independent statutory body established to provide expert advice to the Australian Government on climate change mitigation initiatives.

Bilateral frameworks for cooperation between India and Australia

• During the 2017 state visit of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to India, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on cooperation in the field of environment, climate and wildlife.
• During the 2020 India-Australia Leaders’ Summit, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of Water Resources Management for Sustainable Economic Development was signed between India and Australia.
• Australia and India have committed to collaborate on climate change and energy security through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) initiatives.
• Australia contributed approximately USD300,000 for a World Bank National Strategies Study in India for the Clean Development Mechanism in 2001.
• A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in October 2019 between the Central Ground Water Board, the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, India, and MARVI Partners, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. This MOU will allow the partners to work together to achieve water security for agricultural, urban, industrial and environmental purposes.  

Trade and investment opportunity

• The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)’s Environment Division has launched a broad range of initiatives to address environment and climate change issues for industry.
• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) aims to help businesses become more sustainable and environment-friendly.
• The Business Council of Australia supports strong action on climate change, and aims to involve industry and the community to support the action.
• The Australia India Business Exchange (AIBX) aims to deepen Australia’s trade and investment in various sectors, including sustainable economic development and energy.
• The India-Australia CEO Forum is a mechanism for business from both nations to engage directly on ways to build the bilateral trade and investment relationship in various sectors including energy, resources and agriculture. 

Cooperation and collaborations

• In September 2001, the Tata Energy Research Institute (now known as The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)) hosted the first Australia-India Joint Workshop on Clean Development Mechanism.
• Western Sydney University (WSU) will invest AUD 5million into a partnership with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and thirteen state agricultural universities to combat global food security issues presented by climate change.
• The IITB-Monash Research Academy has developed joint research competency in renewable energy transformation, food, energy, and water sustainability through its cogent PhD research program, and has established strong collaborations across several workshops since its inception in 2008.
• Under Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), the following Institutes have jointly undertaken projects in the domain of 'Future of Earth: Green and Renewable Technologies':
  • Western Sydney University and G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology.
  • The University of Melbourne and Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.
  • Deakin University and Vellore Institute of Technology.
  • Institute of Chemical Technology and RMIT University.
  • The University of Queensland and the Jamia Millia Islamia.
  • Deakin University and PSG College of Technology.
  • Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and the University of Queensland.
• Under SPARC, the following Institutes have jointly undertaken projects in the domain of Energy and Water Sustainability:
  • The University of Wollongong and National Institute of Technology, Surathkal.
  • The University of Melbourne and Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.
  • Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, and The University of Technology, Sydney.
  • Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and Macquarie University.
• The Australia India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) established in 2006 supports scientists in India and Australia to collaborate on leading-edge research. The following projects have received funding under AISRF in Environment and Climate Change:
  • In 2020, the University of Southern Queensland and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University collaborated on a research project titled ‘Enhancing climate change adaptation processes for farmers and agribusinesses’.
  • In 2020, the University of Technology, Sydney and the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar collaborated on a research project titled ‘Harnessing Solar Energy to Attain Near Zero Carbon Emission Brine Treatment’.
• The Australian Research Council plays an important role in the provision of Government support for research in Australia. The following India projects received ARC grants under Environment and Climate Change sectors:
  • In 2021, The Australian National University announced Australian Membership of the International Ocean Discovery Program, which included India as an international partner.  A similar collaboration took place in 2016.
  • In 2020, Curtin University undertook a research project titled 'Deciphering the tectonic record of the early Earth', which included India as an international partner.
  • In 2016, Southern Cross University undertook a research project titled 'Resolving nutrient groundwater exports versus soil burial in mangroves', which included India as an international partner.
  • In 2015, the University of Tasmania undertook a research project titled 'Pyrite: a deep-time capsule of ocean chemistry and atmosphere oxidation', which included India as an international partner.
  • In 2015, the University of New South Wales undertook a research project titled 'Fundamental high temperature e-waste investigations for high-value products', which included India as an international partner.