Climate change has emerged as a global security and geopolitical concern. India, 3rd-largest energy consumer, has transitioned from a “climate obstructionist” to a “climate leader and solution provider”
Clean Energy is the Order of the Day
Combating Climate Change – Transition to renewables
Social Benefits – women’s health. (Ujjwala Scheme)
Economic Benefits – lowering Current Account Deficit (CAD).
India’s role as a “Vishwaguru of sustainability”
Geopolitics of Climate Change
Oil geopolitics (Middle East)
China’s monopoly in critical minerals (over 90%)
Green tariffs and carbon taxes. Eg- EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
North-South Divide and Climate Justice Diplomacy
Climate-linked Geoeconomics – Eg- G20 Green Development Pact (2023)
Climate and Security Interlinkages – Climate-induced disasters
Emerging ‘Energy Identity Politics’
EU as a “Green Regulatory Power.”
China as “Green Manufacturing Hub.”
India as a “Responsible Global South Leader.”
India’s Changing Policy Towards Climate Change in Various International Fora
Early Phase -Defensive Stance (Pre-2010)
Advocated equity and right to development under Kyoto Protocol (1997).
Opposed binding emission targets for developing countries.
Supported the principle of CBDR and respective capabilities.
Shift from defensive to constructive negotiation (2010-2015)
Copenhagen (2009) & Cancún (2010): Voluntary emission intensity reduction (20-25% by 2020).
Formation of BASIC bloc (Brazil, South Africa, India, China) to represent emerging economies.
Leadership Phase (Post-2015 -Present)
Paris Agreement (2015): India’s NDCs –
Reduce emission intensity by 33-35% by 2030.
Achieve 40% non-fossil fuel-based power capacity.
Create carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes CO₂ through afforestation.
COP-26 (Glasgow, 2021): Announced “Panchamrit” commitments -including Net Zero by 2070 and 50% energy capacity from renewables.
UNFCCC (COP28): Leading Global South demand for loss and damage fund and fair carbon markets.
Global South Leadership – Eg- FIPIC (Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation)
International Solar Alliance (ISA, 2015): Jointly launched with France to mobilize solar adoption across 100+ countries.
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI, 2019): Focus on climate-resilient infrastructure in developing nations.
G20 Presidency (2023): Advocated Green Development Pact and Just Energy Transition for Global South.
Quad Climate Group: Promoting clean hydrogen, green shipping, and resilient supply chains.
BRICS & SCO: Advocates equitable climate finance, green technology transfer, and multipolar environmental governance.
India’s other efforts towards climate change and Clean energy
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
National Solar Mission (280 GW solar capacity by 2030)
National Green Hydrogen Mission (5 MMT by 2030)
One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)
IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework): Includes clean energy, decarbonisation.
As per Dhanasree Jayaram (Climate Diplomacy and Emerging Economies) India has evolved from a ‘naysayer’ to a ‘responsible’ player in Climate Diplomacy.