Nimisha Lakhia points out India has embraced its role as a global leader in combating climate change by recognising that sustainable development goes hand in hand with protecting planet’s future. Through innovative policies and ambitious commitments, India is charting a path towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing our planet today. With rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and extreme weather events becoming increasingly common, it is crucial for nations to step up their efforts in combating this global crisis. In this regard, India has emerged as a true leader in the fight against climate change.
India’s commitment to sustainable development and delivering results, which most nations have failed, has positioned it as a global climate change leader. Reducing pollution, embracing renewable energy, preserving forests, ensuring water security are some of the initiatives that promise a greener future for India.
The scientific consensus on climate change is clear: human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have accelerated the warming of our planet. The consequences are far-reaching and include rising temperatures, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, environmental degradation, etc., all of which lead to heavy economic losses.
As the most populous nation, India is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. With millions dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods and a vast coastline susceptible to sea-level rise, urgent action is imperative.
However, amidst this urgency lies a glimmer of hope. India has embraced its role as a global leader in combating climate change by recognising that sustainable development goes hand in hand with protecting our planet’s future. Through innovative policies and ambitious commitments, India is charting a path towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Sustainable development
India, a nation rich in cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, has set an exemplary path for other nations to follow with its commitment to sustainable development. Recognising the need to balance economic progress with environmental preservation, India has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices.
One of the key milestones in India’s commitment to sustainable development is the adoption of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). India has made significant progress towards achieving these goals through policies that promote renewable energy generation, clean transportation systems, and waste management practices.
India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) serves as a comprehensive roadmap for addressing climate change challenges while ensuring inclusive growth. The plan focuses on promoting energy efficiency measures across sectors, enhancing forest cover through afforestation programmes, boosting renewable energy capacity, and implementing measures for water conservation.
Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), launched jointly with France in 2015, aims to mobilise global efforts to harness solar energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Established by PM Modi and French President Francois Hollande in November 2015, ISA aims to scale up solar energy, reduce the cost of solar power generation through aggregation of demand for solar finance, technologies, innovation, research and development, and capacity building.
The government is constantly working towards transforming India into a low-carbon economy while ensuring inclusive growth. By aligning its national priorities with global sustainability objectives, India demonstrates its untiring dedication to building a greener future for generations to come.
Reducing carbon footprint
Despite being the world’s most populous country, India has made significant strides in curbing emissions and fostering sustainable growth. One of the key factors contributing to India’s impressive CO2 footprint reduction is the rapid adoption of renewable energy sources.
The country has witnessed an exponential growth in solar and wind power installations, with ambitious targets set for further expansion. By investing heavily in renewable energy infrastructure, India aims to generate 40 per cent of its total electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
In addition to renewable energy, India has also implemented policies aimed at curbing pollution from industries. Stringent emission norms have been introduced for automobiles and factories, ensuring that pollutants are minimised and air quality is improved. Initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) have been launched to combat air pollution in major cities across the country.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched NCAP in January, 2019 with an aim to improve air quality in 131 cities (non-attainment cities and Million Plus Cities) in 24 States / UTs by engaging all stakeholders.
Embracing renewable energy is the cornerstone of future development. Recognising the need for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, India has embarked on a remarkable journey towards becoming a global leader in renewable energy adoption.
One of the key drivers behind India’s success in embracing renewable energy is its ambitious target of achieving 450 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity by 2030. This includes a significant increase in solar and wind power installations, as well as exploring other clean technologies such as hydroelectric power and bioenergy. This move has attracted investments from both domestic and international players, fostering a thriving ecosystem of green energy projects across the country.
As more solar parks and wind farms emerge, there is a surge in employment opportunities ranging from manufacturing solar panels to installing wind turbines. This transition towards clean energy not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also promotes sustainable economic growth, making India an attractive destination for green investments.
Protecting green gold
India’s rich and diverse forest cover has long been regarded as the country’s “green gold” and efforts are being made to conserve this. These initiatives not only contribute to combating climate change but also safeguard biodiversity and provide livelihood opportunities for millions of people.
Through the Joint Forest Management (JFM), a unique partnership between local communities and the government, local residents actively participate in forest protection, afforestation, and reforestation activities. Through their collective efforts, they serve as guardians of the forests, ensuring sustainable use of resources while empowering themselves economically.
Numerous national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and protected areas across India’s vast landscape are meticulously managed with rigorous conservation plans in place. They serve as havens for endangered species like tigers, elephants, rhinoceroses, and countless other flora and fauna. By preserving these natural habitats from encroachment and illegal activities such as poaching or logging, India actively promotes biodiversity conservation on a global scale.
Cleaning Ganga
The Ganga, often revered as the lifeline of India, has faced unprecedented pollution levels for decades. However, in recent years, India has undertaken an ambitious mission to clean up this mighty river and restore its pristine glory. This initiative not only showcases India’s commitment to environmental preservation but also serves as a shining example of how collective efforts can bring about positive change.
Recognising the critical state of the Ganga, the Indian government launched the Namami Gange programme in 2014 – it aims to rejuvenate and protect the river through a multi-faceted approach that involves various stakeholders, including local communities, environmental organisations, and government bodies. The programme focuses on curbing pollution from industrial waste, sewage discharge, and religious activities along the riverbanks.
One remarkable aspect of the Ganga cleaning initiative is its emphasis on public participation. The government has actively involved citizens through awareness campaigns, cleanliness drives, and educational programs. By instilling a sense of responsibility among individuals and communities living near the riverbanks, this grassroots approach has not only resulted in tangible improvements but also fostered a deeper connection between people and their environment.
Water security is also a major issue today in the backdrop of climate change. India has taken significant strides towards ensuring water security for its people. The government encourages farmers to shift from traditional irrigation methods to more modern techniques such as drip irrigation and sprinkler systems. This not only reduces water wastage but also improves crop productivity.
To tackle urban water scarcity, India has invested in infrastructure development projects such as constructing reservoirs, dams, and canals for efficient storage and distribution of water resources. Implementation of wastewater treatment plants ensures that treated water can be reused for non-potable purposes such as irrigation or industrial processes.