India’s Climate Leadership Amid Global Crisis

India faces severe impacts from the climate crisis. In 2024, extreme weather struck the country on 322 days. Floods, droughts, heatwaves, and glacial melt caused heavy losses. Over the last 30 years, India lost more than 80,000 lives and suffered economic damages exceeding 180 billion dollars due to climate events. Despite low per capita emissions, India has taken a strong stance on climate action. It links development closely with sustainability and climate resilience.

India’s Climate Challenges

India ranks among the most climate-affected nations worldwide. Its geography and population make it vulnerable to floods, droughts, and heatwaves. Glacial retreat in the Himalayas threatens water security. These impacts worsen poverty, health, and agriculture. The uneven effects hit poor and rural communities especially hard.

Climate Action and Policy Framework

India integrates climate goals with development plans. Its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LTLEDS) guide climate policies. India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070. It focuses on sectors like agriculture, water, forests, energy, and health. Climate action is mainstreamed in welfare schemes and infrastructure projects.

Renewable Energy and Emission Reductions

India is a global leader in renewable energy growth. It ranks fourth in renewable capacity and third in solar power worldwide. Solar capacity rose from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 116.25 GW by mid-2025. Emission intensity of GDP fell by 36% between 2005 and 2020. This shows decoupling of economic growth from emissions. India met some NDC targets early.

Green Economy and Employment

India lifted 171 million people out of extreme poverty in a decade. The renewable energy sector created over 1 million jobs in 2023. Investments target clean technology, green hydrogen, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency. Green building codes and circular economy models support sustainability. Carbon pricing and innovation encourage a regulated green transition.

Institutional Strengthening and Community Empowerment

India focuses on local institutions and community-led adaptation. Panchayats and grassroots bodies receive greater roles in climate planning. Gender-sensitive and digital tools improve climate resilience. Domestic manufacturing, climate finance, and scientific research receive emphasis. Climate budgeting and monitoring enhance transparency and effectiveness.

International Climate Diplomacy

India has become a confident climate negotiator. It urges developed countries to meet finance and technology commitments. At COP28 and COP29, India stressed the need for transparency and adequate loss and damage funding. It advocates just transitions and support for developing countries. India champions the Global South’s interests.

Global Initiatives and Partnerships

India launched Mission LiFE to promote sustainable lifestyles worldwide. It leads initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and One Sun One World One Grid. Partnerships focus on disaster resilience and industrial decarbonisation. India pushes ambitious climate goals beyond UN summits. Its leadership encourages global cooperation for Paris Agreement targets.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically analyse India’s approach to balancing economic growth with climate change mitigation and adaptation.
2. Explain the role of renewable energy in India’s climate strategy and its impact on employment generation.
3. What are the challenges faced by developing countries in climate finance negotiations? How does India’s stance at COP28 and COP29 reflect these challenges?
4. With suitable examples, comment on the importance of community-led adaptation and institutional strengthening in climate resilience.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically analyse India’s approach to balancing economic growth with climate change mitigation and adaptation.

1. India integrates climate goals with development plans, ensuring sustainability is core to economic growth.
2. Adoption of ambitious NDCs and Long Term Low Emission Development Strategy with net-zero target by 2070.
3. Significant reduction (36%) in emission intensity of GDP from 2005 to 2020 shows decoupling growth from emissions.
4. Rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity (solar from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 116.25 GW in 2025) supports clean growth.
5. Welfare schemes and infrastructure projects mainstream climate adaptation, protecting vulnerable sectors like agriculture and health.
6. Challenges remain in balancing immediate developmental needs and long-term climate goals, especially for poverty alleviation.

2. Explain the role of renewable energy in India’s climate strategy and its impact on employment generation.

1. India ranks 4th globally in renewable energy capacity and 3rd in solar power capacity.
2. Solar capacity grew over 41 times between 2014 and 2025, driving clean energy transition.
3. Renewable energy expansion reduces reliance on fossil fuels, lowering emissions and pollution.
4. In 2023, renewable energy sector created approximately 1.02 million jobs, boosting green employment.
5. Investments in clean technologies, green hydrogen, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency support sustainable industrial growth.
6. Renewable energy contributes to energy security and self-reliance while promoting innovation and economic diversification.

3. What are the challenges faced by developing countries in climate finance negotiations? How does India’s stance at COP28 and COP29 reflect these challenges?

1. Developing countries face inadequate and uncertain climate finance flows from developed nations.
2. Technology transfer and capacity-building support remain insufficient to meet adaptation and mitigation needs.
3. Loss and damage funding mechanisms lack transparency and adequacy, limiting climate resilience efforts.
4. India demands fulfillment of finance, technology, and capacity development obligations to build trust.
5. At COP28, India emphasized transparency for loss and damage fund; at COP29, it criticized climate finance deal as an optical illusion.
6. India advocates just transitions and equitable support, representing Global South’s concerns in negotiations.

4. With suitable examples, comment on the importance of community-led adaptation and institutional strengthening in climate resilience.

1. Empowering local institutions like panchayats enhances grassroots climate planning and response effectiveness.
2. Community-led adaptation addresses localized vulnerabilities, such as drought-resistant agriculture and flood management.
3. Gender-sensitive plans and digital tools improve inclusivity and climate information dissemination.
4. Strengthening domestic manufacturing and climate finance mechanisms supports sustainable local economies.
5. Examples include climate budgeting, monitoring, and promotion of green entrepreneurship at local levels.
6. Institutional capacity building ensures transparent, accountable, and scalable climate actions aligned with national goals.