India’s Climate Action: A Closer Look at Policies, Progress, and Challenges

Mumbai: As the general elections in India unfolded from April to June, the country faced severe heat wave conditions in northern, western, and parts of eastern India. The heat waves began around May 18, affecting many areas. At the same time, the onset of the south-west monsoon brought an odd extreme weather scenario to India. While people were dying from the heat, states in the north were bracing for floods, unprepared to handle the situation.

On June 28, Delhi experienced record-breaking rainfall of 235.5 mm, the highest single-day amount in June in 88 years. This extreme weather pattern highlighted the urgent need for climate action in the country.

IndiaSpend conducted interviews with experts and activists to analyze the changes in India’s climate and environmental regulatory regime over the past decade. The focus was on understanding where the country’s policies fell short and how they could be improved to meet the Paris Agreement targets.

India’s climate action plans consist of two main elements: adaptation and mitigation. While mitigation efforts have received significant attention, adaptation planning has been lacking. The country has committed to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35% by 2030 from 2005 levels and achieving 40% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

In August 2022, India updated its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to include more ambitious targets, aiming to reduce emissions intensity by 45% and achieve 50% renewable energy capacity by 2030. By December 2023, India had already achieved its original targets well ahead of schedule.

Despite these achievements, India’s climate action policies have been criticized for being driven by opportunism, with a focus on economic interests rather than environmental conservation. The country’s emphasis on afforestation as a means to achieve carbon sequestration targets has raised concerns about the impact on local communities and ecosystems.

Furthermore, India’s push for coal mining alongside its renewable energy goals has raised questions about the country’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2070. Critics argue that the government’s policies prioritize the interests of the private sector over environmental conservation.

The recent amendments to India’s environmental laws, including the Forest Conservation Amendment Act, have weakened protections and raised concerns about the government’s commitment to climate action. Experts and activists are calling for a unified and robust climate law that enforces genuine environmental progress and prevents greenwashing.

As India grapples with the impacts of climate change, there is a growing awareness of the need for urgent action. Extreme weather events are increasingly affecting livelihoods, underscoring the importance of addressing climate change in a comprehensive and transparent manner.

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