With its vast population and rapidly expanding economy, India holds a unique and influential position in the global fight against climate change. As one of the world’s most populous countries, India is both a contributor and a victim of environmental challenges. The country’s development trajectory raised living standards, increased energy demands, industrialization, and urbanisation – all of which have contributed to a significant environmental footprint.
While there is a global consensus on the urgency of addressing climate change, in India, other pressing social concerns – poverty alleviation, accessible healthcare, educational reform, and economic stability; often take priority. The argument can be made that, for many Indians, day-to-day survival is more crucial than long-term environmental considerations. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that these social concerns do not overshadow the equally critical need for sustainable policies, which are essential for safeguarding resources, resilience, and well-being of the future generations.
Are we, as a nation, truly prioritising climate action, or are we allowing it to slip through the cracks in favour of short-term gains?
India: Today
India’s climate journey is one of contrast and complexity. As of today, India accounts for approximately 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the top five emitters worldwide. However, its emissions per capita remain significantly lower than those of industrialised countries like the United States, and China. For instance, the average Indian’s carbon footprint is about 1.9 tonnes per year- much lower than the global average of 4.5 tonnes and incredibly lower than that of the United States, where the per capita footprint exceeds 15 tonnes. These figures address the fact that while India’s aggregate emissions are high, the average Indian’s lifestyle is comparatively low-impact.
Under the Paris Agreement, India had pledged to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by 33-35% below 2005 by 2030; setting ambitious goals for renewable energy and sustainable practices. The renewable energy capacity India aims to achieve by 2030 is 450 GW. Till 2023, India’s solar initiatives gained momentum, expanding the solar power capacity up to 67GW, thus becoming amongst the top 5 countries globally in solar power capacity. The international solar alliance pioneered by India and France is another testament to India’s leadership in renewable energy. The organisation strives to mobilise investment, encourage innovation, and facilitate knowledge sharing.
Despite efforts to transition to renewables, coal remains a primary source of energy, supplying nearly 70% of the country’s electricity, and providing energy security to over 1.4 billion people. While coal is a reliable energy source, the negative environmental impact caused is undeniable. The dependence on coal complicates India’s emissions reduction efforts, raising questions about how quickly the country can realistically transition to a cleaner source of energy without jeopardising energy security.
Water scarcity is another fundamental issue, that climate change is only exacerbating. Close to 600 million people in India face high to extreme water stress, and the country’s water demand is projected to double by 2030. Chaotic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and declining groundwater levels are affecting agriculture, the main pillar of the Indian economy, employing about 50% of the population.
Thus the impact of climate change on water resources presents a significant risk to food security, rural livelihoods, and public health, emphasising the interconnected nature of environmental, social, and economic issues in India.
Is climate change neglected over other social concerns?
India faces a difficult conundrum. How do you focus on climate action when millions of citizens are still struggling with basic needs like food, clean water, energy, and jobs? For laymen, the most relevant and immediate concerns are dire and personal(scope majorly limited to his/her family) These include, securing a stable income, accessing affordable housing, food security, and the safety and security of the family itself. In such a context, climate change may feel like a luxury concern, a problem that impacts future generations but seems remote and distant compared to today’s survival needs.
However, this perception is misleading. In reality, climate change is not a distant issue but a force that magnifies these challenges. Given India’s complex social fabric, where poverty, inequality, and rapid urbanisation intersect, it is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change; and neglecting it will only cause the immediate issue to increase exponentially. Thus, climate change is not just an optional agenda, but it is critical for a sustainable future where all Indians can thrive.
Beyond the physical impacts, such as food security, water scarcity, and health hazards, climate change worsens social and economic inequalities. Rural populations, vulnerable to shifted weather patterns, and crop failures, face a heightened risk of poverty. In urban settings, the poorer communities often live in flood-prone, low-lying regions, increasing their susceptibility to extreme weather events. Climate change not only threatens the livelihoods of these populations but also poses a significant economic challenge. Climate Action, therefore, is not a question of “either/or” when it comes to social development. Addressing it is a crucial part of ensuring sustainable development and protecting vulnerable communities. By investing in climate-resilient agriculture, we can help secure food supplies and stabilise rural incomes. Improved water management and conservation efforts can reduce water stress and mitigate the impact of droughts on agriculture and daily life.
The 3 P’s: Power, Policy and Priorities:
The government and policymakers recognize the interconnectedness of climate change and social issues, and efforts are being made to reflect a broader understanding of how climate change intersects with social issues. Implementing policies to combat climate change is a challenging balancing act.
The National Action Plan on Climate Change(NAPCC) was launched in 2008, to provide a comprehensive strategy to address climate change. It includes eight national missions in solar energy, energy efficiency, water resources, and sustainable agriculture. Each mission sets specific targets to encourage sustainable and resilient development.
The National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency has introduced schemes like the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) initiative, which incentivizes industries to meet energy efficiency targets and enables trading of energy savings.
Despite these ambitious frameworks, a significant gap exists between policy formulation and practical implementation. A few challenges faced during execution include a lack of coordination between the central and state governments, insufficient funding, and limited enforcement mechanisms. This gap is visible in areas like Pollution control, waste management, and forest conservation.
The rhetoric around sustainability sometimes feels more like propaganda for the people in power rather than a genuine commitment to transformative change. For instance, Tree Planting and Beach Clean-up Drives often receive significant media attention, but these initiatives are often short-lived and lack long-term impact. They might be conducted frequently, which hold a symbolic value rather than being sustained efforts with measurable environmental benefits. One way to bridge this gap is to integrate climate resilience into India’s broader development strategy. This means not only expanding renewable energy projects but also incorporating climate resilience into urban planning, transportation, construction, and industrial policies.
Common Man and Climate Change:
While climate change is such a huge issue that one can’t do much about it individually, individual actions collectively must be made: small changes in daily life can bring large influence – water and plastic usage has to be cut down; local markets must be supported; energy-efficient appliances need to be introduced.
India also has a tradition of living with nature, from environmentally-friendly festivals and sustainable agriculture; reviving these along with modern technology can lead to a sustainable lifestyle with characteristics in line with the cultural ethos of India. Education and awareness campaigns would be hugely responsible for creating this shift in the mindset of people, wherein everyone assumes individual responsibility and contributes towards larger climate goals.
The biggest concern for India is awareness about climate change. Though people visibly see the effects of pollution, deforestation, and erratic weather, understanding how their daily choices are linked to environmental degradation is not that common. There exists a lack of understanding regarding climate change and sustainability in both village and city settings, based on the limited reach of environmental education. This solution lies in the creation of a powerful public awareness campaign. Governmental agencies, NGOs, and private organisations can make effective partnerships to make people aware via social media, community radio, and local gatherings. Schools can make climate education a part of their curriculum, including conservation and sustainable living from a young age. Making environmental knowledge approachable and engaging will empower the citizens of India to make informed, earth-friendly choices for a healthier planet.
India’s 0.7 Earth model: A blueprint for global sustainability
The Global Footprint network has emphasised that if countries globally could learn from India’s model, we can collectively lower the pressure in Earth’s Resources.
One of the most compelling aspects of India’s climate story is that it has a relatively low ecological footprint. According to reports, if the world’s resource consumption is like Indians, it would need only 0.7 Earth to sustain the current global lifestyle. In comparison, in many developed countries, high consumption patterns require several Earths if everybody consumes like them. The 0.7 Earth model demonstrates India as a model for the rest of the world to move toward, how it is possible to reach a balance between development and responsibility towards nature.
So what does the India 0.7 Earth model mean in practice? In other words, it is a way of life where the consumption per capita will be less, reduce wastage, and be more frugal and resourceful. Some other factors comprise shared family living arrangements, small living spaces, low car ownership, and a traditionally vegetarian diet. Recycling, reuse, and repair are common practices in India, which are considered societal habits and cost-saving measures, but also inherently reduce waste. For example, most garments, furniture, and electronics are often recovered, recycled, or renovated before they are considered waste and need to be replaced. Thus extending their lifecycle and reducing the extraction of virgin (new) resources.
India’s cultural emphasis on resourcefulness and community living, along with sustainable policy directions, could provide a framework for other nations. By showcasing its resource-conscious lifestyle as a viable path for development, India offers an alternative to the high-consumption models of many developed countries, underlining that economic growth and sustainability can coexist.
Building a Climate Resilient India:
India’s journey toward a climate-resilient future relies on a mix of increased awareness, strengthened policies, community engagement, and respect for traditional practices. A climate-conscious society can emerge only when sustainability becomes a core part of education, governance, and daily life.
1. Investing in Education and Awareness:
Education is a critical tool in the fight against climate change. By making climate education a standard part of school curriculum and community initiatives, India can build an informed generation that values environmental stewardship. Government bodies and NGOs can set up awareness campaigns including practical insights on energy-saving, recycling, water conservation, etc tailored to different communities’ needs and realities.
2. Strengthening and Enforcing Climate Policies:
For policies to be effective, they must move beyond promises to tangible actions with clear goals and timelines. India’s climate policies need enforcement, transparency, and regular audits to ensure their effectiveness.
3. Promoting Sustainable Urban Development:
As India urbanises at a dizzying pace, sustainable urban planning becomes unavoidable. The measures taken are to increase the usage of public transport, implement green spaces, and activate efficient waste management that will save the environment and the community. Furthermore, sustainable housing initiatives are how we can deal with a population that is increasing without making use of natural resources. The use of recycled material and energy-saving designs, together with the development of cost-efficient, nature-friendly houses, can support the sustainability agenda. India through sustainability, can cut down on emissions, clear the air, and create more healthful and more liveable cities.
4. Empowering Local Communities- Decentralization:
Regional climate impacts are not the same everywhere, coastal cities are dealing with flooding, and dry areas are suffering from water scarcity. Community groups, and individuals in leadership positions, who are empowered thus can develop the correct climate adaptation measures. Moreover, solutions to climate dilemmas through such models not only keep inhabitants informed about sustainability plans but also reinforce individuals to design and achieve sustainability. For instance, wisely enough the rural leaders of dry areas may particularly concentrate on rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation techniques, whereas the cities along the shores may play around with the mangroves to take on the impact of the storms.
5. Reviving and Adapting Traditional Practices:
India has been known to encourage ecological practices, starting from step wells and other water-saving practices to organic cropping systems and crop rotations. It is possible to revive and incorporate these practices into modern systems which will make the operations less resource-demanding and provide already existing sustainable solutions that are appropriate for the climatic conditions of India.
By adapting these time-tested, traditional approaches to present-day requirements, some of the most high-profile environmental issues in the country can be solved economically and with less harm to the environment.
Future sustainability for India depends on the collective efforts of policymakers and industry heads along with social educators, community members, and individuals. It is possible that by integrating education, transparent policy implementation, sustainable planning of cities, community empowerment, and traditional wisdom, the nation of India can become a climate resilience model. This approach to holistic development will not only safeguard the environment but will also make it stronger and less vulnerable when dealing with the undesirable side effects of climate change. For India to be a leader at the global level for climate action, every citizen’s push will mean a movement for every citizen from every corner of the country towards a healthier, sustainable future.
Citations:
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- Resources. Population Matters. (2024, August 6). https://populationmatters.org/the-facts-resources-consumption/
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2024c, October 29). List of countries by greenhouse gas emissions. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_greenhouse_gas_emissions
- How is India tackling climate change? Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment. (2024, August 16). https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/how-is-india-tackling-climate-change/
- Walla, K. (2023, December 1). Why India could play a pivotal role as a climate mediator. Atlantic Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/why-india-could-play-a-pivotal-role-as-climate-mediator/
- India: Helping people build resilience to climate change. World Bank. (n.d.). https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/india/brief/advancing-climate-adaptation-building-resilience-to-climate-change-in-india
