Source: The post India prioritizes growth and adaptation over emissions has been created, based on the article “‘Excessive preoccupation with temperature goal’: How India has signalled shift in approach to climate crisis” published in “Indian Express” on 7th February 2025.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment- Conservation
Context: The article discusses India’s changing approach to climate action. It prioritizes economic growth and adaptation over emission cuts. India argues that rich countries have failed to meet climate goals. It plans to develop first and decarbonize later. It also aims to expand clean energy technologies independently.
Why is India changing its climate strategy?
India has shifted its climate policy focus. It now prioritizes economic growth and adaptation over immediate emission cuts. This shift is due to the failure of developed countries to meet climate targets. Global emissions are still rising, and climate finance commitments remain unfulfilled.
What is India’s new argument on climate action?
- Economic Growth First: India argues that rapid economic growth is the best defense against climate change. Adaptation provides immediate benefits, unlike emission cuts.
- Failure of Global Efforts: Global emissions are still rising, and developed countries have failed to meet targets. US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement (2025) weakens global action.
- Economic Survey for 2024-25 Recommend: The Economic Survey suggests that India should first reach the development level of richer countries by 2047 and then focus on achieving a net-zero emission goal by 2070. This approach follows China’s model.
- China’s model: China focused on economic growth first. Its emissions quadrupled since the mid-1990s. However, this also helped it build the world’s largest clean energy sector. India sees this as a model. Once China peaks emissions, it can reduce them faster than others.
- Energy Independence: India plans 100 GW nuclear energy by 2047 and focuses on solar, wind, hydrogen, and SMRs to control its transition.
What challenges does India face?
Dependence on Coal: Coal remains essential for energy needs, but restrictions could slow economic growth.
Global Climate Inaction: Developed nations failed to meet emission targets, reducing India’s incentive for aggressive decarbonization.
Technology Dependence: India lacks local manufacturing for clean energy. Without scaling up, it will depend on foreign supply chains.
Slow Nuclear Expansion: Despite the India-US civil nuclear deal, nuclear energy growth has been sluggish.
Question for practice:
Discuss India’s changing approach to climate action and the reasons behind its shift in strategy.
