Maarg Manthan · Topic 18.14

India’s Position on Climate Change Policy

Environment & Ecology › International Environmental Governance and Conventions · Topic 18.14

India's position in climate negotiations rests on equity and climate justice. India holds that the problem was caused mainly by the historical emissions of industrialised countries, that its per capita emissions are far below the world average, and that it has the right to development and poverty eradication. It insists on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), on developed countries providing new, additional and predictable finance and technology, and on a fair share of the remaining carbon budget. It resists legally binding emission caps for itself, but has made voluntary pledges. India's first Nationally Determined Contribution (2015) promised to cut the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, to have 40 percent of electric power capacity from non-fossil sources, and to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The updated NDC of August 2022 raised these to a 45 percent cut in emissions intensity and 50 percent non-fossil installed capacity by 2030. At COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 India announced the Panchamrit: 500 GW of non-fossil capacity, half of energy needs from renewables, a one billion tonne cut in projected emissions, a 45 percent intensity cut by 2030 and net zero by 2070. India submitted its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy in 2022, launched the International Solar Alliance (2015), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (2019) and Mission LiFE (2022), and opposes carbon border taxes.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · International Environmental Governance and Conventions

At a Glance

Core stand Equity and CBDR-RC
NDC 2022 45 percent intensity cut; 50 percent non-fossil capacity
Net zero 2070
Announced at COP26, 2021
Initiatives ISA, CDRI, LiFE
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: International Environmental Governance and Conventions

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the UNFCCC and climate finance and presents how India engages with climate negotiations. It leads to India’s observed climate changes, NAPCC and policy structure. Previous topic: Global Climate Finance Architecture. Next topic: Observed Climate and Weather Changes in India.

What Are India’s Principal Positions and Pledges?

Item	Details
Equity and CBDR-RC	Developed countries should lead because of historical emissions; developing countries need space to grow
Per capita argument	India’s per capita emissions are far below the world average
Carbon budget	India argues for fair sharing of the remaining global carbon budget
Finance and technology	Demands new, additional, predictable finance and technology transfer from developed countries
NDC 2015	33 to 35 percent lower emissions intensity of GDP than 2005 by 2030; 40 percent non-fossil power capacity; additional 2.5 to 3 Gt CO2e carbon sink
Updated NDC 2022	45 percent lower emissions intensity than 2005 by 2030; 50 percent non-fossil installed power capacity by 2030
COP26 Panchamrit	500 GW non-fossil capacity, half of energy from renewables, 1 billion tonne emission cut by 2030, 45 percent intensity cut and net zero by 2070

What Initiatives and Disputes Mark India’s Approach?

International Solar Alliance: launched with France in 2015; HQ Gurugram
CDRI: Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, launched in 2019
Mission LiFE: Lifestyle for Environment, launched in 2022
LT-LEDS: long-term low emission development strategy submitted at COP27 in 2022
Coal: at COP26 India pushed for the wording phase down, not phase out, of unabated coal
CBAM: India opposes the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism as unfair and against CBDR
Green hydrogen: National Green Hydrogen Mission, 2023
Global leadership: India’s G20 presidency in 2023 pushed climate finance and the Green Development Pact

What Else Should You Remember?

Developing country coalitions: India works with G77 and China, BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, China) and Like-Minded Developing Countries
Kyoto Protocol: India was non-Annex I and had no binding targets, though it hosted many CDM projects
Copenhagen 2009: India voluntarily pledged a 20 to 25 percent cut in emission intensity by 2020 from 2005 levels, achieved
Paris 2015: India played a key role, championing CBDR-RC and climate justice
Emission intensity: emissions per unit of GDP, which India targets rather than absolute cuts
Reduction achieved: India reported about 33 percent cut in intensity between 2005 and 2019
Non-fossil capacity: crossed 40 percent of installed power capacity in 2021, nine years ahead of 2030 target
Carbon sink: forest and tree cover increase is a plank
Net zero 2070: announced by the Prime Minister at COP26
Phase down coal: the Glasgow Climate Pact language was changed at India’s insistence
Fossil fuel subsidies: India argues that development needs justify some use of fossil fuels
Loss and damage: India supports the fund
Adaptation: India stresses adaptation finance
Technology: India seeks access to clean technology without IPR barriers
LIFE movement: promotes mindful consumption
Mission Innovation: India is a member
Global Biofuels Alliance: launched at G20 2023
One Sun One World One Grid: ISA-linked idea of a global solar grid
Domestic carbon market: Carbon Credit Trading Scheme under development
Link to previous: see Global Climate Finance Architecture
Link to next: see Observed Climate and Weather Changes in India
Link to policy: see India’s Policy Structure Relevant to GHG Emissions
Caution: targets and statistics are updated in reports to the UNFCCC, so check India’s latest NDC and communications
Exam hint: learn the 2015 and 2022 NDC numbers and the five elements of Panchamrit
Just transition: India stresses that moving away from coal must protect jobs and energy access
Climate finance demand: India supports the NCQG and wants developed countries to provide larger grant-based finance
Delivery record: India has said it is on track to meet its NDC goals early on non-fossil capacity

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Principle: CBDR-RC
NDC 2022: 45 percent, 50 percent
Net zero: 2070
Current affairs link: CBAM objection and new NDC
Common errors: giving the 2015 numbers for the 2022 NDC

As an analytical point, India combines a firm equity position with voluntary, intensity-based pledges and a growing clean energy programme. Its credibility depends on delivering renewable capacity and a just transition away from coal, while pressing developed countries to deliver finance.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Stand Equity
Pledge NDC
Goal Net zero 2070

What Came Next?

The next topic covers observed climate and weather changes in India. Next topic: Observed Climate and Weather Changes in India.

Key People and Terms

CBDR-RC Differentiated responsibilities
NDC Nationally Determined Contribution
Panchamrit Five-point pledge
LT-LEDS Long-term strategy
ISA International Solar Alliance
CDRI Disaster resilient infrastructure coalition

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

NDC 2015: 33 to 35 percent intensity cut.
NDC 2022: 45 percent and 50 percent non-fossil.
Net zero: 2070.
ISA: 2015.
CDRI: 2019.

Do Not Confuse With

Emission intensity and absolute emissions Per unit of GDP versus total
NDC 2015 and NDC 2022 Earlier versus updated pledges
Phase down and phase out Reduce versus end coal use

Memory Hook

Equity first, intensity next, net-zero by seventy; solar, resilience, LiFE.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for pledges and principles. These points help.

Stand Equity
Pledges NDC
Initiatives ISA, LiFE

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Explain India’s position on climate change negotiations and evaluate its Nationally Determined Contributions.”

How to Answer

Stand CBDR.
NDCs 2015, 2022.
Pledges Panchamrit.
Initiatives ISA.

GS Relevance

Prelims: NDC targets, Panchamrit, initiatives. GS Paper 2 and 3: climate diplomacy and India.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is India's stand in climate negotiations?

India stresses equity and climate justice. It says industrialised countries caused most historical emissions, that India's per capita emissions are low, that developing countries need room to grow, and that developed countries must lead and provide finance and technology under the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

What are India's NDC targets?

India's first NDC in 2015 promised to cut emissions intensity by 33 to 35 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, have 40 percent non-fossil electric capacity and create an extra 2.5 to 3 billion tonne carbon sink. The updated NDC of 2022 raised these to a 45 percent intensity cut and 50 percent non-fossil capacity by 2030.

What is the Panchamrit announced at COP26?

At COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, India announced five commitments called Panchamrit: reach 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030; meet half of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030; cut projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030; reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by 45 percent by 2030; and achieve net zero by 2070.

Why does India object to carbon border taxes?

India argues that unilateral carbon border measures, such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, are discriminatory trade barriers that violate the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and fall on developing country exporters who have lower historical emissions and less ability to pay, and that climate action should not be enforced through trade measures.

What global initiatives has India led on climate?

India co-launched the International Solar Alliance with France in 2015, started the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure in 2019, launched Mission LiFE in 2022 to promote sustainable lifestyles, led the Global Biofuels Alliance in 2023 during its G20 presidency, and promotes the idea of One Sun One World One Grid.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 India announced net zero by 2070 at COP26.

True

As part of Panchamrit.

2 India's 2022 NDC promised 33 percent intensity cut.

False

It promised 45 percent.

3 India co-founded the International Solar Alliance.