Climate Equity and India’s Climate Action

Context

At the “Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics” conference organised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Prime Minister stressed climate equity, historical responsibility and per-capita emissions, highlighting the need for climate finance, technology transfer, adaptation and Loss and Damage ahead of COP31.

Climate Equity and Sustainable Development

• Climate Equity: Ensures a fair distribution of climate responsibilities based on historical emissions, per-capita emissions, development levels and national capabilities.
• CBDR-RC: India supports Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities under the UNFCCC, while seeking adequate development space for developing countries.
• Sustainable Development: India seeks to balance economic growth with environmental protection, rather than treating them as competing objectives.
• Integrated Climate Action: India combines mitigation through renewable energy and energy efficiency with adaptation and resilience in agriculture, water, health and livelihoods.

India’s Climate Commitments and Actions

1. 2030 NDC: India targets a 45% reduction in GDP emissions intensity from 2005 levels, 50% non-fossil installed power capacity, and an additional 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent carbon sink by 2030.
2. Progress: India achieved the 50% non-fossil capacity target in June 2025, five years ahead of schedule. GDP emissions intensity fell 37.38% during 2005–2022, while 2.44 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent carbon sink was created.
3. 2035 NDC: India has set higher targets of 47% reduction in emissions intensity, 60% non-fossil installed capacity and 3.5–4 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent carbon sink by 2035.
4. Solar Energy: Solar capacity has increased from around 2 GW in 2014 to over 160 GW in 2026, strengthening the shift towards non-fossil energy.
5. Decentralised Solar: PM-KUSUM promotes solar pumps for farmers, while PM Surya Ghar supports rooftop solar adoption.
6. Clean Mobility: Expansion of electric vehicles, metro rail and railway electrification aims to reduce fossil-fuel dependence in transport.
7. International Cooperation: India promotes global climate initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Global Biofuel Alliance.

Challenges

1. Fossil-Fuel Dependence: High dependence on coal and other fossil fuels in power, transport and industry remains a major barrier to faster decarbonisation.
2. Renewable Intermittency: Variability in renewable generation creates challenges related to energy storage, grid stability and reliable power supply.
3. Financing and Technology: Achieving the 2035 climate targets requires substantial investment in clean energy, storage, transmission and low-carbon technologies.
4. Carbon-Sink Expansion: Increasing Forest and tree cover is constrained by competing demands for land, development and conservation.
5. Global Support Gap: Limited access to climate finance, technology transfer, adaptation support and Loss and Damage funding remains a concern for developing countries.

Way Forward

1. Climate Finance: Ensure greater access to adequate, affordable and predictable climate finance for developing countries.
2. Clean Energy Transition: Scale up renewables, energy storage, transmission and grid flexibility to reduce fossil-fuel dependence.
3. Strengthen Carbon Sinks: Promote forest restoration, ecosystem conservation and community participation to enhance carbon sequestration.
4. Climate Resilience: Integrate adaptation and resilience into agriculture, water management, urban planning, health and disaster management.
5. Climate Equity: Align global action with historical responsibility, per-capita emissions, national capabilities and developmental needs.
6. Sustainable Lifestyles: Encourage resource-efficient behaviour through initiatives such as Mission LiFE.

Additional Note: National Green Tribunal (NGT)

1. Establishment: The NGT was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 for speedy disposal of environmental cases.
2. Jurisdiction: Under Section 14, it handles civil cases involving a substantial question relating to the environment and can award relief and compensation for environmental damage.
3. Covered Laws: Its jurisdiction includes laws on water pollution, forests, air pollution, environment protection, public liability insurance and biological diversity.
4. Procedure: The NGT is not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 or the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and follows principles of natural justice. It aims to dispose of cases within 6 months.
5. Key Principles: It applies sustainable development, precautionary principle and polluter pays principle while deciding cases.
6. Benches: Its principal bench is in New Delhi, with zonal benches at Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai.
7. Appeal: NGT orders can be appealed before the Supreme Court within 90 days.

FAQs

Q1. What is climate equity?
Ans: Climate equity seeks a fair distribution of climate responsibilities based on historical emissions, per-capita emissions, capabilities and developmental needs.

Q2. What is CBDR-RC?
Ans: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) recognises that all countries share climate responsibility but have different obligations based on their capabilities and circumstances.

Q3. Why is climate finance important for developing countries?
Ans: Climate finance helps developing countries fund mitigation, adaptation, resilience and Loss and Damage measures, particularly where domestic resources are limited.