CAG: PANCHAMRIT STRATEGY
India being a developing country faces challenges due to changes in climate. India adopted Intended Nationally Determined Commitments (INDC) in 2015. It aimed at sustainable economic development and the initiative to promote in use of solar power.
COMPTROLLER AUDITOR GENERAL OF INDIA:
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is the authority under Article 148 of the Indian Constitution. It is made to audit all expenditures and receipts of the Central Government and State Government. It also includes corporations that are financed by the Government or corporations in which government has an equity share of 51%. CAG is also head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service. The reports made by CAG are laid down in Parliament. Further, discussed by Public Accounts Committees (PAC) and Committees on Public Undertakings (CoPU). The position of CAG is the same as that of a Sitting Judge of the Supreme Court. The first CAG of Independent India was V. Narahari Rao (1950 – 1954) and is presently Girish Chandra Murmu since 2020.
INTERNATIONAL STANCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE:
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dates back to 1992 at United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio De Janerio, Brazil. Its objectives are to efforts by the government of member states for dealing with the challenges of climate change. In the words of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, ‘There will be an environmental crisis, particularly in developing countries.’ Kyoto Protocol was the first-ever agreement between 37 countries and European Commission. That aims to reduce the emission of GHC to 5% over the period between 2008 to 2012. India was not bound to abide by the same being a developing nation. Nevertheless, India adopted various policies, and programs, towards the concern.
INDIA ‘s STANCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE:
India is ranked 4th on the list of countries that are affected by climate change in the year 2015. The northeastern States have witnessed rising sea levels that may result in submerging of coastal lands. The rise of temperature in the Northern Region may lead to the drying of the Indus River. It may affect the flow rate of the Ganga and Brahmaputra Rivers. The rise of temperature by 51% in regions of the North & Northeast may result in severe droughts.
In India National Environment Tribunal was created to provide for strict liability that arises due to the mishandling of Hazardous Substances. National Environmental Policy, 2006 claims that environmental protection would be an essential part of the development process. National Action Plan on Climate Change, 2009 establishes an effective approach based on the principle of common and different responsibilities. It further aims at protecting a vulnerable section of society via Sustainable Development Strategy. The government of India’s initiative Vision Statement on Environment and Human Health provides for the impact of the Environment on Human Health. National Green Tribunal Bill was enacted by Parliament in 2010. The bill provides for any person or any organization for filing an application for relief or settlement of disputes.
ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING:
For Environmental Auditing one must be familiar with conventions, policies, and strategies at both international and national levels. It is a systematic process to obtain & evaluate information about environmental aspects. It includes four steps that must be followed— Analysis of the problem, understanding government responses, determining objectives, and priorities, and designing an audit. It must be done to ensure the management of public administration & financial management. A financial Audit is done to give an opinion about environmental costs, obligations, impact & consequences. Compliance Audit that aims to provide for analysis of the governmental approach towards environmental issues. Performance Audit shows the environmental approach that is taken must be done in an economical, efficient, and effective manner.
PANCHAMRIT STRATEGY:
The conference of Parties is the body that ensures the implementation of UFCCC. Parties include the member states and their observers. The first COP meeting was held in Berlin, Germany in the year 1995. On 31st October 2021, the COP26 was held in Glasgow, United Kingdom for protecting communities and the natural environment by adapting. Collaboration to deliver rules to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement and ensure the availability of financial resources. The parties decided to stop deforestation by 2030 and restore degraded lands. The pledge to cut down emissions of Green House Gases. The infrastructure of small islands shall be developed. The nations are requested to cut down their emissions to net zero to have a global temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the climate commitment strategy at the summit. India announced ‘Panchamrit’ meaning a combination of ‘five nectar elements for dealing with climate change. ‘Deliberate & Mindful Utilization’ is the need of the hour to meet the Lifestyle for the Environment. India made various commitments to be fulfilled up to the year 2030. It includes cutting down on emissions of carbon and intensity of carbon up to 45%. It also aims at achieving a capacity of non-fossil energy to 500 GW and achieving 50% energy demand renewable energy. India is expecting the support of One Trillion Dollars for climate finance purposes. It is seen in ‘Sense of Justice’ to developing countries so that they could meet the required criteria. It was further emphasized that climate change is seen as a challenge for developing countries where agriculture is the main occupation.
CONCLUSION:
According to the Environmental Performance Index Report, India is ranked 180 among 180 countries due to various critical issues. Denmark is the first rank in Environmental Performance Index (EPI) as it is the most sustainable country. EPI is determined based on climate policies, health, and ecosystem stability. Over the period of the last 10 years, India has failed to show its worth for climate change to the world. India is positioned at bottom of the list as the result of its own excessive use of carbon dioxide. Its focus has shifted to the development of infrastructure and mining-related activities from climate change issues. Apart from India countries like Russia and China are also rising their Green House Gases Emissions. It was claimed by EPI that about 24 countries are going to be responsible for emissions of upto 80% by 2050.
