India's Role in Climate Change and Sustainability: Navigating the Global Landscape

Climate change and sustainability are one of the most pressing issues that humanity is currently enduring, shaping the contours of international relations and global cooperation. With the rising population, vehicles, industries and anthropogenic activities around the globe it is expanding its intensity of consequences. It is high time that the authorities in place should react to this quandary. As the world tackles rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, air pollution and a resource crunch the paramount duty of global players in addressing these issues becomes evident. 

India as an emerging regional superpower with significant global attention, bears a major role in addressing climate change and championing sustainability. 

Article by Albin K S | Cover Graphic by Asmita Maurya

Summer Research Intern 2024

The relevance of addressing climate change and sustainability cannot be undermined. For a country like India with a significant population and diverse ecosystem whose revenue originates from climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, the relevance is greater. India’s approach to climate change and sustainability cannot be accorded completely to a domestic viewpoint, rather it’s a critical component of international diplomacy and fostering partnerships in tackling challenges.

During the tenure of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru from 1947-1964, India’s focus was primarily centred on industrialization and development (first 2 FYPs). Climate change was not a significant concern at that epoch. Meanwhile, the emphasis accorded to scientific and technological importance was a cornerstone that laid the foundation for India's climate action plan today. This article explores the role India plays in addressing climate change and sustainability, various policies in place, alliances and partnerships, support to developing nations, challenges and opportunities in place, and more. As nations look forward to a sustainable future, understanding India’s roles and contributions becomes substantial for analyzing the global climate politics from a Global South perspective. 

India’s Position in Global Climate Negotiation 

The first major international political conference to discuss climate change and environmental pollution was at the Noordwijk Climate Conference in 1989. India was one among the 68 countries which attended the conference. From that point onwards, India has played a crucial role in climate negotiations, especially through the COP meetings under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

Principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities: India has advocated for the CBDR principle in international climate negotiations. The transfer of technology, financial resources and capacity building from developed to developing nations to cut the emission rate is also attached to this plan. India's stance highlights that developed countries have contributed more to global environmental degradation and should bear a large share of responsibility and cost of mitigation. India also stands for equity and climate justice, proclaiming that climate change mitigation and adaptation measures must not disregard the needs of less developed nations. 

Major Contributions and Negotiations: In the Rio Earth Summit 1992, India participated in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED）, also known as the Rio Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. India accentuated the CBDR Principle and the need for sustainable development, balancing economic growth with environmental protection.  India was a signatory of Agenda 21 a comprehensive plan of action that outlines the blueprint for sustainable development to be implemented globally, nationally and locally. Copenhagen Accord 2009, under this accord India had committed to reduce the carbon intensity of its GDP by 20-25% compared to 2005 levels along with increasing the renewable energy sources with a set target of 15% by 2020. 

The Paris Agreement 2015, The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. In this agreement, India committed to lessen the emission ferocity of its GDP by 33-35 % by 2030. Moreover, India set an ambitious target for renewable energy aiming to achieve 175 GW by 2022 comprising 100 GW of solar power. Glasgow Climate Conference COP26, 2021, Under the COP26 conference, India endorsed the principle of CBDR and announced a climate target,:  achieving a net-zero emission by 2070 and accomplishing 50% of energy needs from renewable sources.  In COP27 2022, (held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt),India submitted its ‘Long-term Low Emission Development Strategy’ to the UNFCCC. This strategy underscores India’s vision for achieving net zero emissions by 2070 coupled with climate goals and sustainable development agenda. 

Support For Developing Nations: India has been actively assisting developing nations in climate change and ensuring sustainability. This support is offered through various initiatives including climate finance, transfer of technology and capacity building programs. Inspecting closely at the Climate Finance and Assistance, India has committed to offer this support through various channels like Green Climate Fund (GCF) etc. For instance, India pledged $2 million to GCF to support projects addressing climate change and mitigation in developing countries. Centring on technology transfer, India has shared its Solar Photovoltaic technology, Renewable Energy Mini-Grids and expertise with developing countries like Maldives, Kenya, Ghana etc. India has developed numerous capacity-building programs for addressing climate change which benefits many nations, specifically in the global south. This accounts for International Solar Alliance, training offered in various sectors including environment and climate change through Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation etc.

India's Climate Policies and Commitments 

India has been a key player in addressing climate change through a combination of domestic and international commitments. Despite achieving a substantial achievement in installing renewable energy capacity securing fourth position globally, India is highly dependent upon fossil fuels. Long term planning is evitable for India to tackle the volatile energy demands in response to the changing weather pattern.

National Action Plan on Climate Change: The (National Action Plan on Climate Change NAPCC) was released by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 30th June 2008. It outlines a national strategy that enables the country to adapt to climate change and ecological sustainability of India’s development path. NAPCC highlights eight core national missions, representing long-term and integrated strategies for achieving key thematic goals. The National Missions are: National Solar Mission, National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, National Water Mission, National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, National Mission for a“Green India”, National Mission for  Sustainable Agriculture, National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.

The National Solar Mission is the first one in the list, launched in 2010. The major objective behind this plan is to establish India as a global leader in solar energy. The initial target of NSM was to install 20 GW solar power by 2022. This was upscaled to 100 GW in early 2015. The National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency is the second mission, implemented in 2011. NMEEE consists of four initiatives to enhance energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries: Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Market Transformation for Energy Efficiency (MTEE) Energy Efficiency Financing Platform (EEFP) Framework for Energy Efficient Economic Development (FEEED). National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, accounts for promoting sustainable urban planning and solid waste management, National Water Mission aims to improve water use efficiency by 20% ensuring integrated water resource management to conserve water, minimize wastage, and ensure equitable distribution. For instance, the partnership between India Netherlands in "strategic water management” along with the Ministry of Jal Sakshi is evident. 

The National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem accounts for conserving biodiversity and protecting the Himalayan glaciers, while the National Mission for Green India upholds the necessity of increasing forest and tree covers and advancing ecosystem services (like carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation). The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture promotes climate-resilient agricultural practices. Rainfed Area Development and Soil Health Management are key initiatives under this mission.  The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change stands for a better understanding of climate science and its impact through Research and technology development, capacity building etc.

India’s commitment under the Paris Agreement

India’s commitment under the Paris Agreement highlights its strategic approach in balancing development needs along with environmental responsibilities. It is also known as the (Nationally Determined Contributions NDCs) which uphold specific targets and measures to address climate change and achieve sustainable development. Back in 2015, India released its NDCs, the main priority was to advance the cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel to 40% and reduce the emission intensity of GDP by 33-35 % . Most of these targets were achieved way earlier, for instance, India’s carbon emissions had already been reduced by 24 per cent by 2016 as compared to 2005 levels. Consequently, India revised its NDCs in 2022 with a new set of targets.

The primary goal of the NDC is to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP to 45% by 2030. To achieve about 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030, with the help of the transfer of technology and low-cost international finance including from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). India aims to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 which is equivalent to additional forest and tree cover by 2030.

India highlights the need for climate finance and technology transfer from developed countries and international agencies to support its climate actions. The Green Climate Fund is an example in this regard.

G20 Summit 2023

India hosted the G20 summit in September 2023. In the G20 proclamation, global leaders under the Indian presidency committed to tripling the renewable energy capacity by 2030 and reassured their commitment in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Even though envisaging a new renewable target is commendable, the summit faced major criticisms for not setting goals for phasing out fossil fuels. There are certain key aspects of India’s commitment within the G20 framework. This commences with the promotion of renewable energy, where during its presidency India has highlighted its aspiration for solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. For instance, the partnership between India and France in launching the International Solar Alliance ISA on 30th November 2015 is a significant milestone in this venture. 

Moving further, India’s efforts in addressing the vulnerability of its large population to climate impacts have ignited the necessity for ensuring resilience and adaptive measures. The Initiatives like Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure CDRI envisaged by India is notable. Global climate leadership, technology integration and the establishment of the India-UN development partnership fund in addressing climate change and sustainability are evident. 

Challenges and Opportunities in Place

The first major challenge is the huge population and development pressure. They pose a colossal hindrance in managing resource consumption and environmental impact. The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources which India has proclaimed in COP conferences and agreements requires a significant investment and infrastructure development. Predicaments like air pollution and water scarcity can act as a hindrance in sustainability. For instance, cities like Delhi face severe air quality issues from industry and vehicular emissions. The current PM2.5 concentration in New Delhi is 2.3 times above the recommended limit given by the WHO 24-hour air quality guidelines value.

Focusing on the positive side, India’s huge potential in renewable energy like Solar and Wind can drive sustainable development and energy security. For instance, the only airport in the world that is fully powered by Solar energy is in India Cochin International Airport. Policy initiatives and alliances India foster between nations are evident like the International Solar Alliance and Paris Agreement. The innovation of Green Technology and other sustainable practices can yield economic productivity.  The support offered to developing nations in the form of technology, finance and capacity-building initiatives offers India a strategic post in global climate advocacy. Government organizations like the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) etc, contribute to effective studies on the shifts happening in climate change.

References 

Green Climate Fund. Green Climate Fund, 

https://www.greenclimate.fund/.

Air Quality Dashboard - Delhi. Air Quality Index, 

https://www.aqi.in/in/dashboard/india/delhi.

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). CDRI, 

https://cdri.world/.

India Set to Exceed Emission Cut Targets. The Hindu Business Line, https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/india-set-to-exceed-emission-cut-targets/article36027706.ece.

Ministry of Science and Technology. Department of Science & Technology, https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/NMSKCC_mission%20document%201.pdf.

Paris Agreement. UNFCCC, 

https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement.

Press Information Bureau. Government of India, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1795071.

UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 27). UNEP, https://www.unep.org/events/conference/un-climate-change-conference-unfccc-cop-27.