Source: The Hindu
- The Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, an annual effort to encourage nations to increase their ambition on addressing climate change, will bring together climate envoys from all around the world in Belem, Brazil, in November.
- With every year that goes by, the facts about climate change and its connection to human-caused warming get more alarming. According to the United Nations, global warming must be kept to 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial era’s average temperature in order to prevent the worst effects of climate change and maintain a habitable planet.
- But by 2030, that entails a 43% reduction in emissions compared to 2019. Global carbon emissions are on the rise and have reached all-time highs, mostly due to fossil fuels. Emissions of carbon dioxide worldwide probably increased from 40.6 billion tonnes in 2023 to a new high of 41.6 billion tonnes in 2024.
- There is a rising belief that only markets, money, or big-picture technical solutions can “save” the earth, especially in light of the Trump administration’s denial of climate change realities.
- The focus of the discussion appears to be shifting from reducing emissions to finding methods to profit from the situation.
- The Hindu Group’s flagship event is Huddle. “India in Dialogue” is this year’s Huddle theme. The occasion is a celebration of important discussions and environmental preservation. It makes room for introspection, listening, and real connections.
Model Question:
- “Climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a developmental challenge.” Examine this statement in the context of India. Also, discuss the steps taken by India to address climate change while pursuing sustainable development.
Model Answer:
Climate change is increasingly being recognized as not just an environmental concern but a comprehensive developmental challenge, especially for a developing country like India. It affects agriculture, water security, health, livelihoods, and biodiversity—core components of human development.
India, with its vast population and dependence on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture and fisheries, is highly vulnerable. Erratic monsoons, rising temperatures, glacial retreat in the Himalayas, and increased frequency of extreme events such as cyclones and floods directly impact food security, water availability, public health, and infrastructure.
Moreover, poverty and unequal access to resources worsen the impacts, making climate change a developmental justice issue. Rural and marginalized communities often bear the brunt without contributing significantly to global emissions.
Recognizing this, India has adopted a multi-pronged approach:
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) with eight missions, including the National Solar Mission and National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture.
- State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) to localize climate action.
- Commitment under Paris Agreement (NDCs): Reduce emission intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels. Achieve 50% cumulative electric power from non-fossil sources. Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂ through forests.
- International Solar Alliance (ISA) and LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) campaigns promote global leadership and behavioral change.
- Enactment of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 to support carbon trading.
For India, addressing climate change is inseparable from achieving sustainable and inclusive development. Policies must continue to balance economic growth with ecological integrity.
