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India’s Climate Leadership at COP29
Context:
As COP29 concluded in Baku, the global climate community once again faced the reality of unfulfilled commitments.
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- The US$300 billion climate finance pledge by 2035 was widely criticised as inadequate, with India notably calling the agreement an “optical illusion.”
- This response underscores India’s complex role in climate negotiations—emerging as a global leader in renewable energy and climate diplomacy while grappling with systemic challenges that hinder equitable climate action.
- India’s assertive stance reflects its ambition to lead the Global South while advocating for balanced, fair climate solutions.
India’s Renewable Energy Achievements and Challenges
- Enhanced Capacity: Over the past decade, its capacity has expanded by 165%, reaching 203.18 GW by October 2024.
- Challenges: However, these achievements are accompanied by persistent challenges, including high technology costs, land acquisition difficulties, and the need for a robust grid infrastructure.
- Solar Sector: The solar sector is a testament to both progress and challenges. Under the ambitious “Panchamrit” goals set at COP26, India’s solar capacity grew by 27.9% in a single year, from 72.02 GW in 2023 to 92.12 GW in 2024.
- Yet, despite having an estimated potential of 748 GWp, much of it remains untapped due to policy inconsistencies and energy storage limitations.
- Wind: Similarly, wind energy, which reached 47.72 GW in 2024, faces geographic and environmental constraints.
- Hydro and Nuclear: While large hydro and nuclear energy add to India’s energy mix, their ecological and social impacts require a careful and balanced approach.
- Ranked High Globally: India’s renewable energy achievements have earned it global recognition, ranking fourth in total renewable energy capacity, fourth in wind power, and fifth in solar power.
- However, rapid expansion has occasionally resulted in biodiversity loss and community displacement, highlighting the need for policies that integrate environmental conservation and social equity.
- Additionally, transitioning to a low-carbon economy requires significant investment in research, innovation, and skill development, as seen in India’s efforts to advance a green hydrogen ecosystem.
Climate Diplomacy and the Global South
- Advocacy for the Global South: At COP29, it pushed for equitable climate finance, calling for greater support to developing nations and the removal of barriers such as Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) on green technologies.
- Adaptation Finance: Adaptation finance is critical for helping vulnerable nations build resilience against climate-induced disasters, rising sea levels, and agricultural disruptions.
- Despite its importance, adaptation finance remains underfunded globally.
- In India, a report by the Climate Policy Initiative reveals that most climate finance is directed toward mitigation, with adaptation efforts gaining traction at a much slower pace.
- The International Finance Corporation further highlights that only 10% of India’s climate finance is allocated to adaptation, underscoring the need for a more balanced approach.
- Strengthening engagement in adaptation finance would bolster India’s leadership in the Global South, enhancing its credibility as a champion for inclusive climate action.
- Actionable Frameworks: India must also develop actionable frameworks to ensure that climate finance is accessible, transparent, and effective.
Strategic Alliances and Global Cooperation
- The Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), co-chaired by India and Sweden, focuses on decarbonising heavy industries.
- Similarly, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) integrates climate resilience into national adaptation strategies.
- At COP29, CDRI’s “Infrastructure for Resilient Island States” initiative committed US$8 million to support 12 projects across 17 Small Island Developing States.
- While these initiatives demonstrate India’s commitment to collaborative climate action, scaling them to match the magnitude of global climate challenges remains imperative.
Balancing Domestic Transitions with Global Commitments
- Domestic Priorities: Domestically, transitioning to renewable energy must address socio-economic disparities, particularly in regions dependent on fossil fuel industries.
- Global Commitments: On the global stage, India must navigate the delicate balance between ambitious climate commitments and equitable resource distribution.
- While India has effectively championed mitigation finance, a stronger emphasis on adaptation finance would reinforce its leadership and credibility, particularly in advocating for the most climate-vulnerable nations.
As the climate crisis intensifies, India’s leadership will be tested by its ability to balance growth with equity, ambition with pragmatism, and domestic priorities with global responsibilities.
