This is question number 20. UPSC CSE Main 2022 GS Paper 2.
India's policy on climate change has evolved over time in response to various international fora and geopolitical factors. India has always maintained that its climate actions are driven by its own domestic development imperatives and its commitment to global environmental responsibility. India has also emphasized the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC) and historical responsibility in the global climate regime. India has also advocated for enhanced means of implementation, such as finance, technology and capacity building, from developed countries to support developing countries in their climate actions.
India's policy on climate change can be broadly divided into three phases: pre-Paris Agreement, post-Paris Agreement and post-COP26.
Pre-Paris Agreement: In this phase, India's policy on climate change was largely defensive and reactive, as it faced pressure from developed countries to take on more ambitious mitigation targets and commitments. India resisted any legally binding emission reduction obligations and argued for its right to development and poverty eradication. India also highlighted its low per capita emissions, its large adaptation needs and its voluntary actions to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20-25% by 2020 compared to 2005 levels. India also launched its National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008, which outlined eight national missions on various sectors such as solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, forestry, agriculture, Himalayan ecosystem and strategic knowledge. India also participated actively in various international fora such as the BASIC group (Brazil, South Africa, India and China), the G77+China group and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to advance its interests and perspectives on climate change.
Post-Paris Agreement: In this phase, India's policy on climate change became more proactive and constructive, as it played a key role in shaping the Paris Agreement in 2015. India submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, which included three quantitative targets: to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels; to achieve 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030; and to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030. India also included two qualitative goals: to adopt a sustainable lifestyle based on conservation and moderation; and to co-benefit from adaptation actions for achieving mitigation goals. India also enhanced its domestic actions to implement its NDC, such as scaling up renewable energy capacity, promoting energy efficiency, implementing green tax reforms, strengthening forest management, launching new missions on wind energy, health and coastal zones, etc. India also engaged positively with various international fora such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA), etc. to showcase its leadership and partnership on climate change.
Post-COP26: In this phase, India's policy on climate change has become more ambitious and visionary, as it announced a new set of enhanced targets at the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021. India pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels; to achieve 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030; to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070; and to mobilize one trillion dollars of green finance by 2030. India also reiterated its commitment to sustainable lifestyles and climate justice for the poor and vulnerable. India also joined various new initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge, the Forests for Life Partnership, the Clean Green Shipping Mission, etc. to demonstrate its willingness and ability to take on more climate actions.
Therefore, India's policy on climate change has changed significantly in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. India has moved from being a defensive and reactive actor to being a proactive and constructive actor to being an ambitious and visionary actor on climate change. India has also balanced its development needs with its environmental responsibilities and has shown flexibility and pragmatism in aligning its interests with the global goals.