Unlocking climate action in Indian federalism
3 years, 4 months ago

Unlocking climate action in Indian federalism

Hindustan Times  

India’s unusually centralised form of federalism presents unique challenges to climate action. The central government holds fiscal powers and bureaucratic capabilities more potent than the states, and the ability to set the agenda in many realms of climate policy. But the states are solely responsible for many sectors crucial to climate governance, play an indispensable role in crafting appropriate political conditions for implementation and, crucially, in innovating to set policy examples for national emulation. Addressing climate impacts and engaging in sustainability transformations across states with different capacities and levels of development underscores the need for an equalising Centre, not least, a central government making pledges in the international arena must work with the states to develop and implement policy if these are to be effectively implemented across Indian states. Second, the strategic space for states to build bespoke plans was constrained by a lack of capacity and the normative influence of the National Action Plan on Climate Change that immediately preceded the SAPCCs.

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History of this topic

CCPI 2025: Teaching students about India's climate policies and challenges
5 days, 7 hours ago

CCPI 2025: Teaching students about India's climate policies and challenges

India Today  

India's climate change progress has earned it the 10th position on the Climate Change Performance Index 2025, a tool widely used by researchers and educators to evaluate nations' environmental efforts. Here's how to approach it: INDIA'S ACHIEVEMENTS: A CASE STUDY FOR STUDENTS India's strong performance in greenhouse gas emissions and energy use categories highlights its dedication to sustainable practices, particularly …

India’s stand against inadequate climate finance at COP29
4 weeks ago

India’s stand against inadequate climate finance at COP29

Hindustan Times  

The Conference of Parties 29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, ended on a dramatic note as negotiators announced a pledge to triple annual climate finance to $300 billion by 2035, with an aspirational target of $1.3 trillion. Therefore, we oppose the adoption of this document.” India’s rejection of the climate finance package came in the face of celebration by developed …

COP29 and reducing climate leadership: What India can do
1 month ago

COP29 and reducing climate leadership: What India can do

Hindustan Times  

The Conference of Parties 29 has seen a lacklustre attendance with heads of State from major emitters including China, United States, South Africa, Germany and Canada not in attendance. India must take a nuanced stance advocating for continued resource transfers from the North to bolster India’s domestic capacity to become a crucial partner in achieving global climate goals. India would …

India Voices Concern Over Climate Finance at CoP29 Baku Talks
1 month, 1 week ago

India Voices Concern Over Climate Finance at CoP29 Baku Talks

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: India on Sunday expressed serious concern about the progress by the developed countries to engage in a climate finance and mitigation work programme at CoP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. However, India asserted that those with the highest capacity to take climate action have continuously shifted goalposts, delayed climate action, and consumed a highly disproportionate share of the global carbon …

COP29: India demands climate justice, criticises unmet $100 billion finance pledge
1 month, 1 week ago

COP29: India demands climate justice, criticises unmet $100 billion finance pledge

India Today  

At the High-Level Ministerial on Climate Finance during COP29 in Baku, India, representing Like-Minded Developing Countries, pushed for the urgent need for heightened climate ambitions to address escalating climate disasters. Delivering India's statement, Naresh Pal Gangwar, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and lead negotiator at COP29, highlighted the disproportionate impacts of climate change on …

COP 29 in Baku begins amid ‘Trump dilemma’: India should tread carefully
1 month, 1 week ago

COP 29 in Baku begins amid ‘Trump dilemma’: India should tread carefully

Firstpost  

Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency has put questions on climate action; however, if India has to safeguard the security of 1.4 billion people, it must look at climate change seriously The 29th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change began in Baku, Azerbaijan, and will carry on from November 11 to 22, 2024. Trump’s position on climate change …

Trump 2.0: What's At Stake For Climate Policy And It's Impact On US-India Cooperation
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Trump 2.0: What's At Stake For Climate Policy And It's Impact On US-India Cooperation

ABP News  

The victory of Donald Trump in the US Presidential elections has huge implications for the US trade policy, climate change, immigration and other issues. Trump has said that he would pull the US out of the Paris Climate Accords, a framework for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, and would support increased nuclear energy production. Trump's climate policies will not only …

India Needs a Green New Deal: A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Development
2 months ago

India Needs a Green New Deal: A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Development

Hindustan Times  

India needs an own Green New Deal to address the climate crisis and other pressing issues. The Green New Deal should focus on sustainable development, prioritize equity, and involve all stakeholders in the decision-making process. It should also address unique Indian characteristics and priorities, such as the need for a decentralized approach and a focus on value creation over cost-cutting.

A climate crisis agenda remains urgent
3 months, 1 week ago

A climate crisis agenda remains urgent

The Hindu  

The next five years are critical for India’s climate action efforts, given its ambitious 2030 targets. Key environmental issues that need urgent attention include reducing heat stress, improving air quality, managing waste, and enhancing energy efficiency. Encouraging businesses to view climate action as an opportunity rather than a challenge is essential, and acting swiftly on India’s carbon market is a …

Why India must prioritise women in climate action
3 months, 1 week ago

Why India must prioritise women in climate action

Hindustan Times  

In today’s times, we all witness climate crises in some form or another in our daily lives. Second, realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of women-led development as a cornerstone of Viksit Bharat requires addressing women's vulnerability to the climate crisis. Climate crisis Historically, women have played a key role as primary caregivers and food producers in India, especially in …

Establishing a carbon market
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Establishing a carbon market

The Hindu  

In her Budget speech, the Finance Minister signalled that polluting industries, such as iron, steel, and aluminium, will have to conform to emission targets. PAT versus emissions trading The Bureau of Energy Efficiency defines PAT as a “regulatory instrument to reduce specific energy consumption in energy-intensive industries, with an associated market based-mechanism to enhance the cost effectiveness through certification of …

Delhi govt to overhaul climate action plan
4 months ago

Delhi govt to overhaul climate action plan

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has launched an initiative to combat the escalating climate crisis in Delhi by focusing on seven critical sectors: electricity, water, waste, green cover, transport, health, and agriculture. At a round-table conference, over 40 departments, experts, and officials convened to overhaul the existing climate policy for 2019, highlighting the urgent need for action as the city …

Climate debate: Criticism of the Economic Survey misses the forest for the trees
4 months, 1 week ago

Climate debate: Criticism of the Economic Survey misses the forest for the trees

Live Mint  

Edward Said recounted how, when he critiqued Western scholars for biased depictions of the East, a prominent scholar dismissed his arguments by attacking his credibility rather than engaging with their substance. On 6 August, an oped in Mint argued that India’s Economic Survey “has wide gaps and odd arguments" on climate change. First, the charge that the survey adopts a …

India mustn’t lose time on a climate finance taxonomy
4 months, 4 weeks ago

India mustn’t lose time on a climate finance taxonomy

Live Mint  

India’s climate ambitions are as vast as its challenges. The Reserve Bank of India in a discussion paper also addressed India’s climate finance needs of more than $17 trillion to achieve net zero. The EU’s taxonomy follows the guiding principle of ‘do no harm’ while covering six broad goals: Climate change mitigation, adaptation, sustainable use and protection of marine sources, …

‘International Cooperation is Required to Fight Heatwaves’: Climate Scientist Indu. K. Murthy
5 months ago

‘International Cooperation is Required to Fight Heatwaves’: Climate Scientist Indu. K. Murthy

The Hindu  

Published : Jul 23, 2024 17:21 IST - 7 MINS READ State governments and the Centre were caught on the back foot as they scrambled to implement heat action plans this summer as parts of India reeled under heatwaves, which killed 58 people in New Delhi alone. Governments must support research and innovation in heat resilience technologies and strategies, given …

Time for India’s budget to devote enough space for climate action
5 months ago

Time for India’s budget to devote enough space for climate action

Hindustan Times  

How do you cost for climate change? Last year, the apex bank’s report on Currency and Finance outlined climate change’s impact on the country. That is why the Union Budget this year is an extraordinary opportunity to shape India’s climate action. What’s encouraging though is that, through previous Budget announcements, the government has consistently shown interest in acting on climate …

Unheeded priorities of climate action
5 months, 1 week ago

Unheeded priorities of climate action

New Indian Express  

The rising accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is threatening a potentially catastrophic change in the living and working conditions of humanity. Controlling the addition of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases into the layer requires cooperation at the global level and a fair distribution of mitigation actions. At present, what we have is the Paris agreement in …

The shape of a five-year climate agenda for India
5 months, 2 weeks ago

The shape of a five-year climate agenda for India

The Hindu  

As the new government settles in, what it does to scale up climate action will affect every Ministry, new and old, and every sector, big and small. Some of its choices would be pivotal to how India structures its economic path in a sustainable way, positions itself as the voice of the Global South at the right tables, and fights …

Climate change a top priority for India's Gen Z voters. Are parties listening?
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Climate change a top priority for India's Gen Z voters. Are parties listening?

India Today  

The ongoing general election in India has a distinct dimension to it: hotter weather. India Today has analysed the election manifestos of two major national parties – the Bhartiya Janata Party and Congress – to assess their policies concerning climate change. The word “climate” in the context of environmental degradation features 10 times in the Congress manifesto while it appears …

Climate litigation gets shot in the arm, climate justice is not far behind in India
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Climate litigation gets shot in the arm, climate justice is not far behind in India

Hindustan Times  

The seeds of climate justice that were sown a few years ago in several milestone judgments by the apex court, have now perhaps given rise to its first significant shoot in the form of the judgment delivered earlier this week in the now famous Great Indian Bustard case. While the apex court has to be lauded for fortifying and expanding …

Climate crisis impacts citizens’ right to life: Supreme Court
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Climate crisis impacts citizens’ right to life: Supreme Court

Hindustan Times  

Climate change impacts the constitutional guarantee of right to life, the Supreme Court said in a recent judgment, emphasising that India must prioritise clean energy initiatives such as solar power as citizens have a right to be free from the adverse effects of the climate emergency. “Beyond mere adherence to international agreements, India’s pursuit of sustainable development reflects the complex …

Environmental federalism crucial for climate action
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Environmental federalism crucial for climate action

New Indian Express  

Climate change issues manifest more prominently at regional level compared to their aggregate impact nationally. The 2020 draft notification of the Environmental Impact Assessment authorised the Centre to appoint members of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, relegating the state governments to a mere recommending role. Some State Action Plans for Climate Change, developed in alignment with national strategies, are …

Why climate justice should be the core of global policies | Explained
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Why climate justice should be the core of global policies | Explained

India Today  

It is 4 pm, and Amudha Akka is sitting on the pavement next to the communal tap-a lifeline available for just four hours daily. A 2022 United Nations report predicts developing countries will need $300 billion annually by 2030 to tackle climate change. BEYOND FIGURES: NAVIGATING CLIMATE JUSTICE PARADIGM Amruta S N, Climate campaigner with Greenpeace India agreed that what …

‘Cities at centre of climate discussion for first time’
1 year ago

‘Cities at centre of climate discussion for first time’

Hindustan Times  

From record-breaking heat to intense rain, from cyclones and floods to long dry spells, 2023 had its share of worst weather extremes. To understand how these outcomes will play out for cities, HT spoke with Shruti Narayan, regional director, South and West Asia, at C40 Cities, a network of 100 international cities that assists six Indian metros in framing their …

Should India set a higher bar to address climate change? | The Hindu Parley podcast
1 year ago

Should India set a higher bar to address climate change? | The Hindu Parley podcast

The Hindu  

In a historic first, all 198 signatories to the 28th United Nations’ Conference of the Parties adopted to “transition away” from “all fossil fuels” as opposed to only coal, as was agreed upon at COP26, in Glasgow. Unsurprisingly, it supported the incumbent COP President Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber of the UAE when he proposed to “transition away” from oil and gas, …

Equity and climate justice must be basis of climate action: India at COP28
1 year ago

Equity and climate justice must be basis of climate action: India at COP28

The Hindu  

India firmly believes that equity and climate justice must be the basis of climate action and this can be ensured only when the developed countries take the lead in combating climate change, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said in Dubai at the COP28 on December 9. Delivering the national statement at the high-level segment during the ongoing annual climate conference, Mr. …

Climate diplomacy must begin at home
1 year, 1 month ago

Climate diplomacy must begin at home

Hindustan Times  

Long gone are the days when India’s climate postures were ostensibly defensive. In its quest to achieve its 2030 transition and 2070 net zero targets at home, India’s climate diplomacy has been forward looking. In its rush to join or create new international platforms, India must not forget to build domestic strategic capacity that can better define, articulate, and implement …

COP28: Why India's role is pivotal in climate justice and finance
1 year, 2 months ago

COP28: Why India's role is pivotal in climate justice and finance

Firstpost  

India, along with other developing countries, is pushing for a new global climate finance target, acknowledging the growing costs of addressing and adapting to climate change India’s stance at COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, centres around the importance of adaptation and equity in addressing climate change. Over the past two years, developed economies have also collaborated with major …

The shape of climate justice in a warming India
1 year, 2 months ago

The shape of climate justice in a warming India

The Hindu  

The G-20 summit that was held in Delhi agreed on tripling renewable energy capacity and a voluntary doubling of the rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030. Such an approach evades concerns of climate justice within India, particularly its effect on inequality across levels class, caste and region. Inequality matrix It is now well documented across the world that climate …

Driving the G20’s climate agenda: Priorities for India’s presidency
1 year, 3 months ago

Driving the G20’s climate agenda: Priorities for India’s presidency

Hindustan Times  

India has assumed the G20 presidency at a critical and opportune time in history, even as the half-yearly report card indicates that consensus-building in the grouping has been more difficult than India may have expected. This brief identifies six areas where India can manifest its capability to lead the building of an effective and plausible climate action plan. The G20 …

How India’s climate leadership is building a better future for all
1 year, 3 months ago

How India’s climate leadership is building a better future for all

Hindustan Times  

India is poised to be a global leader when it comes to economy, technology and trade. This is why both India’s commitment to climate action and its current role as a global convener in its capacity as the president of the G20 are so vital for moving climate action forward. Indeed, India’s theme for this year’s G20, “One Earth, One …

India's vision for climate justice: COP28 and beyond
1 year, 4 months ago

India's vision for climate justice: COP28 and beyond

Hindustan Times  

As the world confronts the pressing reality of the climate crisis, the need for robust climate financing has never been more urgent. Notably, the establishment of the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change and the National Clean Energy Fund serve as shining examples of India's commitment to promoting clean energy and supporting climate-resilient infrastructure. The Climate Finance Working Group's estimation …

India, the world's most populated country, is on track to achieve its climate goals: report
1 year, 4 months ago

India, the world's most populated country, is on track to achieve its climate goals: report

Salon  

A new report submitted by the Indian government to the United Nations offers a glimmer of hope when it comes to the fight against climate change: Over the past 14 years, the world's most populous nation has reduced its carbon emissions by a larger-than-expected 33%. According to the report filed to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, India is …

India’s climate crisis susceptibility and the way forward
1 year, 6 months ago

India’s climate crisis susceptibility and the way forward

Hindustan Times  

The climate crisis poses an increasingly complex challenge worldwide, with profound implications for ecosystems, economies, and societies. India's vulnerability to climate crisis necessitates a long-term approach to build resilience and adapt to the changing climate. By adopting measures that enhance resilience in sectors such as agriculture, water management, and infrastructure, India can mitigate the adverse impacts of the climate crisis …

A look at nature-based climate solution
1 year, 7 months ago

A look at nature-based climate solution

Hindustan Times  

Most nations in global south are experiencing higher rates of climate warming exposing vast swathes of human population to the attendant risks and hazards. Despite promises and proclamations at China’s 20th Party Congress in October 2022, and submission before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in November 2021 ahead of COP26 reassuring the world to achieve carbon neutrality …

Why It Matters | Most Indians want immediate action by government to tackle climate change
1 year, 7 months ago

Why It Matters | Most Indians want immediate action by government to tackle climate change

The Hindu  

What are the facts: About 81% of people in India are worried about global warming while 64% of Indians think that the government should do more to address global warming, a recent survey by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and CVoter has shown. A bulk of the respondents also think that climate change will harm plant and animal …

Heatwaves are preventing India from achieving development goals: Study
1 year, 8 months ago

Heatwaves are preventing India from achieving development goals: Study

Live Mint  

Heatwaves in India are not only affecting the health of the people but also impacting the economic and developmental goals of the country. A new study has revealed the impact of scorching heat on India's agriculture, economy, and public health. The study informs that India is currently “facing a collision of multiple, cumulative climate hazards” resulting in extreme weather events …

At G7 ministers' meet, India stresses need to address climate change in tandem with environmental action
1 year, 8 months ago

At G7 ministers' meet, India stresses need to address climate change in tandem with environmental action

Firstpost  

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav addressed a plenary session of the G7 ministers’ meeting and highlighted India’s emphasis on collective action to address environmental challenges, including efforts to encourage individual and community action through Mission LiFE New Delhi: India on Sunday said there is a need to holistically address climate change issues in tandem with environmental action. Union Environment Minister …

India and Africa leverage climate diplomacy
1 year, 8 months ago

India and Africa leverage climate diplomacy

Hindustan Times  

This brief highlights the importance of climate diplomacy in Indian foreign policy, and the country’s role in the North-South politics of climate negotiations as a leading member of the Global South that includes Africa. It focuses on two India-led multi-stakeholder global partnership organisations—i.e., the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure —both of which are working to …

India’s heat action plans exclude the most vulnerable: Report
1 year, 8 months ago

India’s heat action plans exclude the most vulnerable: Report

Al Jazeera  

New Delhi-based think tank points out a lack of funding and preparation after analysing 37 regional and federal plans. Analysing 37 regional and federal heat action plans, the Centre for Policy Research found this week that the plans are not updated regularly, do not have separate budgets in most cases, have no legal support to implement them, and that the …

Without action plans, India’s poorest will continue to bear brunt of heatwaves: study
1 year, 8 months ago

Without action plans, India’s poorest will continue to bear brunt of heatwaves: study

The Hindu  

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-level meeting earlier this month to review the heatwave preparedness — a new report by the think-tank Centre for Policy Research on “How is India Adapting to Heatwaves?” indicates that the country is ill-prepared to face the heat. The centre analysed all the 37 heat action plans across 18 States, to evaluate how policy action …

Climate-proofing India’s socio-economic trajectory
1 year, 10 months ago

Climate-proofing India’s socio-economic trajectory

Live Mint  

With existing socio-economic challenges, India needs a people-first development paradigm to move towards a climate-secure future, and become a leading voice on climate action for the Global South. With programmes around green fuel, climate-friendly farming, green buildings, low-carbon mobility, and policies for efficient energy use across various economic sectors, the 2023-24 Budget lays a strong foundation for green growth – …

MNLU: Call For Chapters For The Book "Climate Change Crisis: Assessing The Actions For Future"
1 year, 11 months ago

MNLU: Call For Chapters For The Book "Climate Change Crisis: Assessing The Actions For Future"

Live Law  

About the University MNLU, Nagpur – the nineteenth National Law University in the country, was established by the Government of Maharashtra by enacting the Maharashtra National Law University Act. About the Centre for Environmental Law The Centre for Environmental Law established at the National Law University, Nagpur,, is an endeavour of the University to respond to the need for legal …

Tackling climate change top priority for India Inc, finds Deloitte report
1 year, 11 months ago

Tackling climate change top priority for India Inc, finds Deloitte report

India Today  

Tackling the impact of climate change is a top priority for top Indian company executives, who have ranked it higher than economic outlook, according to a new report. At least 57 per cent of Indian CxOs said climate change is among the top three priorities, compared to 42 per cent of global CxOs, showed Deloitte’s 2023 CxO Sustainability report. This …

Climate justice for all, by all: Multi-sectoral framework for optimal public health outcomes
2 years ago

Climate justice for all, by all: Multi-sectoral framework for optimal public health outcomes

Firstpost  

Considering the way climate change is affecting every aspect of our lives, various key sectors such as health, environment, education, agriculture, nutrition and food security, energy, transportation, and industry, must work together to address the health issues posed by climate change Climate change has been identified as one of the most serious global health threats of the 21st century. Regardless, …

COP27 raised the pitch for urgent climate action
2 years ago

COP27 raised the pitch for urgent climate action

Hindustan Times  

The 27th Conference of the Parties ended last week in Egypt, and despite the many challenges and divergence of views, member-countries rose to the occasion. Making a pitch for countries to move towards low-carbon development, the Implementation Plan calls for “targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable in line with national circumstances and recognising the need for support towards …

Climate summit: India opposed developed world's efforts to extend scope of mitigation to agriculture
2 years, 1 month ago

Climate summit: India opposed developed world's efforts to extend scope of mitigation to agriculture

Firstpost  

Expressing concern over the draft decision text on the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture, India said the developed countries are blocking a pro-poor and pro-farmer decision by insisting on expanding the scope for mitigation to agriculture, thereby compromising the foundation of food security New Delhi: India has opposed the developed world’s efforts to extend the scope of mitigation to agriculture …

COP27: Are India’s climate pledges a lot of hot air?
2 years, 1 month ago

COP27: Are India’s climate pledges a lot of hot air?

Al Jazeera  

While many have praised the Modi-led government’s commitment to cut greenhouse emissions, some remain wary of it being realised. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi first made the commitments at last year’s UN Climate Change Conference or COP 26 in Glasgow as part of five total pledges, including reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. Nandini Das, a climate and energy economist at …

5 questions over India's emission plan at COP27
2 years, 1 month ago

5 questions over India's emission plan at COP27

Live Mint  

The strategy focuses on low-carbon electricity and transport systems, low-emission industrial systems, carbon mitigation technologies, energy-efficient urban infrastructure, enhanced forest cover, and the economic and financial aspects of low-carbon development. India is a signatory to the Paris Agreement, under which countries must formulate and communicate long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies, taking into account their common but differentiated responsibilities …

Explained | Is the world’s climate action plan on track?
2 years, 1 month ago

Explained | Is the world’s climate action plan on track?

The Hindu  

The story so far: Leaders from around 200 countries will gather in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh from November 6-18 for the 27th round of the Conference of Parties, or COP27, to deliberate on a global response to the increasing threat of climate change. Broadly, the summit seeks to “accelerate global climate action through emissions reduction, scaled-up adaptation efforts …

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