South Asia’s Climate Leadership and Regional Cooperation

The climate crisis has worsened a decade after the Paris Agreement. South Asia faces severe climate shocks such as floods, heatwaves and landslides. These challenges occur amid global tensions, weakening multilateralism and faltering climate commitments. Despite setbacks like the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, South Asia is emerging as a key player in climate action. It is driven by necessity and a strong moral imperative to protect nearly two billion people exposed to diverse climate risks. Recent regional consultations have shaped a pragmatic and collaborative response focused on adaptation, mitigation, finance and governance.

Implementation Challenges in Climate Action

South Asia struggles with a gap between climate promises and delivery. Only 65 countries have submitted updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). A study found that just 5% of 203 climate initiatives since 2015 met their goals. This marks the need for stronger regional cooperation to create impactful projects. Effective governance with clear plans and timelines is essential. Inclusive structures must empower local governments, communities and women. Regional forums like G-20, BIMSTEC and BRICS can advance common positions. Partnerships such as India’s Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Nepal’s Sagarmatha Sambaad show how focused cooperation can work.

Balancing Adaptation and Mitigation

Adaptation must match emission reduction efforts. South Asia faces rising heat extremes with days above 35°C doubling by 2100. Impacts vary widely – Nepal’s glacial floods, Maldives’ coastal risks, India’s heatwaves and Sri Lanka’s droughts. Technical, financial and institutional support is critical for local adaptation plans. Combining scientific innovation with local practices strengthens resilience. Internationally, simple and adaptable indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation are needed to track progress without penalising less capable countries.

Building Trust and Honouring Commitments

Trust is vital for ambitious climate action. Past delays and broken promises by developed countries have eroded confidence. Geopolitical tensions further hinder progress. Developed nations are off track to meet their 2030 targets. They must fulfil pledges and align NDCs with the 1.5°C goal. Reinstating faith in multilateralism is key to global cooperation.

Climate Finance – Predictability and Accessibility

Climate finance must be reliable, sufficient and fairly distributed. It should prioritise vulnerable countries and avoid increasing debt burdens. The $1.3 trillion roadmap requires clear accountability on delivery. South Asia calls for tripling adaptation finance with operational clarity. Dedicated regional allocations from funds like the Green Climate Fund can improve access. A ‘South Asian resilience finance facility’ is proposed to mobilise innovative finance for nature-based solutions and domestic priorities.

Role of Non-State Actors in Climate Transition

Climate action cannot rely on governments alone. Non-state actors including private sector, civil society, youth, academia and sub-national entities are crucial. The private sector can unlock finance and markets. Civil society can assess progress and share traditional knowledge. Youth bring innovation and urgency. Businesses can embed sustainability in value chains. Together, they can build trust and accountability in climate governance.

Technology, Innovation and Systemic Transformation

Finance, technology and innovation must converge for real change. South Asia remains largely excluded from international technology flows. Most climate initiatives span multiple regions or favour the Global North. Capital should be channelled through blended finance, debt-for-nature swaps and market tools focused on vulnerable regions. Digital innovations like AI, blockchain and remote sensing can improve data cooperation and efficiency. COP30 will judge climate leadership by delivery based on mutual clarity, cooperation and implementation.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Point out the challenges faced by South Asia in implementing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies and estimate the role of regional cooperation in overcoming these challenges.
2. Critically analyse the impact of weakened multilateralism on global climate finance mechanisms and underline the significance of predictable and accessible funding for vulnerable countries.
3. With suitable examples, explain the role of non-state actors in enhancing climate action and how their involvement can complement governmental efforts in India.
4. What is the significance of digital innovation in climate change mitigation? How can emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain transform climate governance?

Answer Hints:

1. Point out the challenges faced by South Asia in implementing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies and estimate the role of regional cooperation in overcoming these challenges.

1. Implementation gap – only 65 countries submitted enhanced NDCs; just 5% of climate initiatives since 2015 met goals.
2. Climate risks are diverse – floods, heatwaves, glacial lake outburst floods, coastal threats, droughts across South Asian countries.
3. Insufficient technical, financial, and institutional support for local adaptation and mitigation plans.
4. Need for inclusive governance involving local governments, women, and communities to enhance ownership and effectiveness.
5. Regional cooperation through forums like BIMSTEC, G-20, BRICS can harmonize priorities and scale solutions.
6. Successful partnerships (e.g., India’s CDRI, Nepal’s Sagarmatha Sambaad) show focused regional collaboration advancing resilience.

2. Critically analyse the impact of weakened multilateralism on global climate finance mechanisms and underline the significance of predictable and accessible funding for vulnerable countries.

1. Weakened multilateralism leads to broken promises, delayed finance, and diluted commitments from developed countries.
2. Developed countries are off track on 2030 NDC targets, undermining trust and global cooperation.
3. Climate finance must be predictable, adequate, fairly distributed, accessible, and non-debt inducing for effectiveness.
4. The $1.3 trillion roadmap lacks clarity on delivery timelines, responsible entities, and accountability.
5. Vulnerable countries, especially Least Developed Countries in South Asia, need tripled adaptation finance with operational clarity.
6. Dedicated regional allocations and innovative finance facilities (e.g., South Asian resilience finance facility) are crucial for simplified access and impact.

3. With suitable examples, explain the role of non-state actors in enhancing climate action and how their involvement can complement governmental efforts in India.

1. Private sector can unlock finance, invest in renewable energy, and mainstream sustainability in markets and value chains.
2. Sub-national governments align local actions with national goals, delivering targeted climate solutions.
3. Civil society can independently assess progress, bridge capacity gaps, and share traditional knowledge regionally.
4. Youth mobilize innovation, urgency, and intergenerational equity in climate advocacy and solutions.
5. Examples – India’s Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) involves multiple stakeholders to build climate-resilient infrastructure.
6. Non-state actors create accountability cycles reinforcing trust and complementing government policies and programs.

4. What is the significance of digital innovation in climate change mitigation? How can emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain transform climate governance?

1. Digital innovation enhances data collection, monitoring, and analysis, improving climate risk assessment and decision-making.
2. Artificial intelligence (AI) enables predictive modeling, optimizing resource use and early warning systems for disasters.
3. Blockchain can ensure transparency, traceability, and accountability in climate finance and carbon markets.
4. Remote sensing and big data facilitate real-time environmental monitoring and reporting across regions.
5. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) supports efficient data sharing and cooperation among countries and stakeholders.
6. These technologies help overcome capacity constraints, promote trust, and enable systemic transformation in climate governance.