Climate change as global challenge

Source: The post “Climate change as global challenge” has been created, based on “Should India take global leadership on climate change? ” published in “The Hindu” on 24 October 2025. Climate change as global challenge.

UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper -2- Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests

Introduction: Climate change has emerged as the defining global challenge of the 21st century. As the world approaches another round of climate negotiations at COP30 in Brazil, many traditional leaders of climate action — particularly developed nations — are showing reluctance to take on new responsibilities. In this context, the question arises: should India assume a larger leadership role in driving global climate action?

Global Context and Leadership Vacuum

1. The United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement, and European nations are increasingly inward-looking due to domestic and geopolitical challenges.
2. Brazil, the upcoming host of COP30, appears focused on national implementation rather than global leadership.
3. This has created a vacuum in climate leadership, where emerging economies are expected to step up.
4. India, as a rapidly growing economy with a strong record in renewable energy and climate diplomacy, stands out as a natural candidate to fill this space.

 India’s Climate Achievements and Commitments

1. India has already demonstrated significant progress:
   1. Achieved over 50% of electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, ahead of schedule.
   2. Adopted ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) targeting 45% reduction in emission intensity by 2030.
   3. Launched global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), showcasing multilateral innovation.
2. India is now preparing to update its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), integrating resilience measures for agriculture, water, and infrastructure.
3. These actions reflect not only commitment but also credibility, positioning India as a responsible stakeholder in global climate governance.

Opportunities for India’s Global Leadership

1. Bridging the Global North–South Divide:
   1. India can act as a mediator between developed and developing countries, emphasizing equity and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR).
   2. Its leadership can help steer climate negotiations towards practical cooperation rather than ideological division.
2. Showcasing Scalable Solutions:
   1. India’s emphasis on low-cost renewable energy, solar electrification, and community-driven adaptation models can inspire other developing nations.
   2. Policies like solar rooftop programmes, EV promotion, and biofuel blending demonstrate scalable climate strategies.
3. Green Finance and Technology:
   1. India can mobilize innovative climate financing, such as blended public–private models, to fund adaptation and mitigation projects.
   2. It can also advocate for technology transfer mechanisms to make clean technologies accessible globally.

Challenges in Assuming Leadership

1. Domestic development priorities: Poverty alleviation, industrial growth, and energy security limit India’s fiscal space for large-scale climate financing.
2. High adaptation costs: India estimates a financing need of over $1.3 trillion to meet its NDCs by 2030.
3. Global inequities: Developed nations’ reluctance to meet their own financial commitments or share technology undermines trust.
4. Energy transition complexity: India still relies heavily on coal for energy and employment, making rapid decarbonisation socially and economically challenging.

Way Forward

India’s leadership should focus on practical, inclusive, and cooperative approaches rather than mere symbolism:

1. Lead by example: Continue to expand renewable energy, promote sustainable agriculture, and reduce carbon intensity without compromising growth.
2. Drive South–South cooperation: Build alliances with other developing nations to share best practices and pool climate resources.
3. Champion adaptation: Advocate for global focus on adaptation measures — water resilience, flood protection, and agriculture — which are vital for vulnerable nations.
4. Promote just transition: Ensure that the shift from fossil fuels to renewables is fair and inclusive, safeguarding livelihoods.
5. Engage constructively in global forums: Use COP30 and other multilateral platforms to promote equitable climate governance.

Conclusion

India’s role in global climate action is not merely a question of responsibility, but of opportunity and necessity. As developed nations hesitate and climate threats intensify, India is well-placed to provide moral, technological, and diplomatic leadership. By pursuing a strategy rooted in equity, innovation, and cooperation, India can redefine global climate leadership — not through dominance, but through example. Its leadership would signal that climate action and development are not opposing goals, but mutually reinforcing pathways to a sustainable future.