On climate, can India set world an example?

The fact of climate change and global warming is no longer disputed, but the reason causing it is subject to contentious debates. While there is a general consensus among environmental scientists and activists that the primary reason for climate change is anthropogenic, there is a climate denial lobby that likes to believe the extent of damage to environment is exaggerated and also downplays the role of human agency affecting climate change. US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement was not surprising given his staunch criticism of Barack Obama for signing the agreement. By withdrawing from the agreement, the Trump administration abandoned the emissions targets set by President Obama and walked away from pledges of financial aid to help developing nations battling global warming. It is a terrible setback to the collective global effort to contain damage to the environment. In democracies governments do change, but when a sovereign nation makes a commitment by committing to an international agreement, that commitment is not usually reversed only due to a change in government. If the President of a country leading in economy, technology and military power, and one that is also historically responsible for most carbon pollution, walks away from its responsibility and accountability, and lives in denial; it is indeed going to impact the process of change and level of commitment of many other countries that had also committed to the climate agreement.

As America is clearly not interested in setting the global agenda on climate change, it opens a window of opportunity for countries like China and India to emerge as leaders in climate politics. With rapid and dynamic economic growth, and having nearly 40 per cent of the world’s population, both countries may play a key role in shifting the geopolitical focus of climate change from the developed countries in the West to developing countries in Asia. After President Trump’s withdrawal speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi both reiterated their commitment to the Paris agreement.

India’s commitment to climate change goes back several decades, even when issues like global warming and climate change were topics confined to academic debates and seminars. India was the first country to articulate the concerns of Third World nations that were far behind in the race of development compared to the developed countries. In June 1972, the UN held the first global conference on human environment in Stockholm. While

While generating more energy through renewable sources and cutting down fossil fuel are necessary requirements for a cleaner environment, this is perhaps time to seriously explore other sustainable models of development...

many developing nations thought of boycotting the meet due to the perceived dichotomy between development and environment protection, India’s then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi used this platform to express the view that poverty alleviation and environment protection were not mutually conflicting ideas. “Are not poverty and need the greatest polluters?” she asked, drawing attention to the realities of poverty in developing countries. She also categorically declared: “We have to prove to the disinherited majority of the world that ecology and conservation will not work against their interest, but will bring an improvement in their lives.”

Mrs Gandhi’s landmark speech at this conference laid the foundation for the collective but differentiated responsibility and the need for cooperation between rich and poor nations that would further develop into key principles of the politics of climate change. This also underlined the accountability and responsibility of developed countries for being primary contributors to global warming and climate change; and the need to share the financial and technological resources with underdeveloped and developing countries. The Paris agreement recognises the principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capabilities”, an acknowledgement that different nations have different capacities and duties in the climate change action plan.

China and the US together are responsible for around 40 per cent of global emissions. In the global ranking index of greenhouse gas emissions, India comes fourth after China, the US and Russia, but that is primarily due to our large population. The per person carbon emission in India is 1.7, compared to 16.2 in the US, 11.9 in Russia and 7.5 in China. But that is no reason why India should not only fulfil its commitments, but also make efforts to go beyond it if possible. In the Paris agreement, each country is allowed to set its own targets as Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). India has pledged it will reduce carbon emissions relative to its GDP by 33 per cent to 35 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. India also pledged that 40 per cent of its electricity will come from non-fossil fuel-based sources, like wind and solar power, by 2030. The dual strategy of more production and reliance on renewable energy, and reduced production and usage of fossil fuels, is the foundation of India’s emission reduction plan.

While generating more energy through renewable sources and cutting down fossil fuel are necessary requirements for a cleaner environment without compromising on the development agenda, this is perhaps time to seriously explore other sustainable models of development, and think about a paradigm shift on the notion of “development” itself. Whereas there could be no compromise on providing basic facilities like cent per cent rural electrification, housing for all and a solid infrastructure, one should reexamine consumption patterns and trim down the superfluous. An efficient public transport system is a necessity but four cars for a family of three is simply not.

India has never shied away from bold experiments and showing new paths, new methods of doing things to the world. Mahatma Gandhi, through satyagraha — the dual arsenal of truth and non-violence — had challenged and fought the mightiest colonial power of his time, inspiring many global leaders across generations. Climate change is possibly the greatest threat after terrorism to plague the world now. Perhaps it’s time to re-examine the relevance of Gandhiji’s holistic development model, with special emphasis on strengthening the rural economy, and adapting that model to the requirements of today’s world. Perhaps India could create a new model of development which allows humans to live in harmony with nature.

The writer is chief spokesperson, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, and AICC national media panelist