Shape of India’s Climate Agenda

Context (TH): In the next five years, GoI must accelerate and show the world that economic development can be sustainable. India should follow the mantra of ‘go higher, go wider, go deeper’ to align its climate leadership with economic prowess.

The Plan Sheet for India

‘Go higher’ relates to India’s global leadership.
India could, sooner or later, host important international climate summits. So, India must stitch alliances and allay concerns from now on only to achieve a consensus on contentious issues.
India should emphasise equity in international forums and secure leadership roles in global institutions that deliver climate finance.

‘Go wider’ means India must adopt and communicate emission reduction targets beyond the power sector. India has made significant progress in the power sector and will continue to meet international non-fossil share and domestic renewable energy targets.
The next step is to target other sectors, such as setting clear targets for zero-carbon two- and four-wheelers in private mobility.
This initiative will also benefit rural India by enhancing mobility, creating jobs in clean energy, and promoting economic growth.

‘Go deeper’ means prioritising sub-national climate action and resilience.
The government should establish a Centre-State coordination group, incentivise State-level climate actions, integrate scientific modelling into policymaking, and facilitate a unified data measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) architecture at the State level.

In the last decade, India has progressed from a hesitant participant to a bold leader in global climate discourse, shaping narratives and institutions.
First, India has established global institutions like the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and Global Biofuels Alliance and shaped the Green Development Pact under its G-20 presidency.
Second, India has set bolder emission targets, including a 2070 net-zero goal and ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This shift emphasises absolute emission reductions over relative targets
Third, sustainability-linked economic policies are now central, exemplified by creating a long-term Indian emissions carbon trading scheme.

At the 18^th G20 (Group of Twenty) Summit, held in 2023 in New Delhi, the Green Development Pact was signed. It is a part of New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, adopted at the 18^th G20 summit.
The important pillars/features of the pact are:
- Pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels
- Nations urged to align their NDCs with Paris Agreement goals
- Commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century
- Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE) necessary to ensure emission reduction by 2030
- Climate finance, circular economy, and blue economy
- Disaster risk reduction

A single carbon credit represents the removal or avoided emission of one ton of CO₂ or another greenhouse gas like methane of equivalent volume.
These credits can be sold to entities to claim as reductions in their emissions.