India Spearheading the Climate Change Mi ga on Parade: A Focus on Its Global Ini a ves

Vijay Anand Panigrahi | 16 April 2024

Introduc on

Climate change poses a serious threat to our planet and demands an urgent, globally collabora ve
effort to work towards its mi ga on and limit the damage it is causing to our environment. So far,
the world’s response to this issue has been regarded as unrewarding and has received widespread
cri cism.[i] The historical contribu on of the developed countries to climate degrada on and
emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), owing to their extensive industrialisa on and economic
expansion, is considered the root cause of this challenge.[ii] However, despite having the capability
to lead the climate change mi ga on struggle, these developed and industrialised countries have
been unable to lead a posi ve change and work efficiently towards environmental
sustainability.[iii] Furthermore, these countries have not fulfilled the commitments made on
suppor ng climate ac on in developing countries through financial and technical means.

The vulnerable communi es of the developing countries in the Global South are dispropor onately
affected by the climate crises due to their insufficiency in adequately funding comprehensive
mi ga on and adapta on programs.[iv] India, considered the voice of the Global South, is an integral
part in the global conversa on on mi ga ng the effects of climate change. Its strategy for addressing
climate change has significant consequences for interna onal a empts to reduce GHG emissions.

Its diverse climate zones, terrain and ecosystems make it par cularly sensi ve to climate change-
induced hazards such as disasters, epidemics, crop failures, loss of livelihoods and biodiversity,
poverty and displacement, among other dangers.[v] According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021,
India is the seventh most affected country[vi], while another study indicates that 17 out of 20 Indians
are at risk of severe hydrological and meteorological disasters and extreme weather events caused
by climate change.[vii] However, India has adopted steps to balance the consequences of climate
change and its mi ga on and adapta on requirements domes cally. It has a very low historical
cumula ve carbon dioxide (CO2) emission contribu on and per capita emission, amoun ng to only
three per cent and 1.9t CO2 per person, respec vely.[viii] Hence, despite the challenges, India has
been steady with its progress in addressing climate change-induced challenges.

At the COP-28 Summit in 2023, Prime Minister Modi stated, “India is one of the few economies in the
world that is on track to meet the Na onally Determined Contribu on (NDC) targets. We have
already achieved non-fossil fuel targets related to emissions intensity 11 years ago. We have achieved
non-fossil fuel target nine years ahead of schedule. And, India has not stopped at this. Our target is to
reduce emissions intensity by 45 percent by 2030. We have decided that we will increase the share of
non-fossil fuel to 50 percent”.[ix] This showcased India’s dedica on to reduce emission intensity and
moving towards the net zero goal by 2070.[x]

Furthermore, India has consistently advocated for proac ve measures to address climate change on
the global stage, emphasising the interconnectedness of human well-being and the environment. In
2023, when India assumed the presidency of the G20, its theme for the period of leadership was
‘one earth, one family, one future’.[xi] The theme resonated with India’s emphasis on the idea that
human life throughout the world is interlinked. Thus, the necessity of a collec ve global effort to
address the challenges in our society is paramount. At the G20 Summit, India laid special emphasis
on the need to confront climate change collec vely. India deems that it is necessary to promote
universal par cipa on in ini a ves aimed at promo ng environmental health.[xii] The country
underscores the principle that collec ve engagement is essen al for the welfare of the world,
highligh ng the inseparable rela onship between people and the planet. Therefore, this paper seeks
to highlight the climate change mi ga on and adapta on ini a ves launched by India to address the
issue of climate change and discuss how India has been successful in its pursuit of invi ng other
countries to join these ini a ves to turn them into global collabora ve efforts.

India-led Climate Change Mi ga on Ini a ves at the Global Stage

Understanding the necessity and significance of collec ve approaches to make the best use of
available renewable energy resources, India has ini ated and led several climate change mi ga on
ini a ves at the interna onal level. Following ini a ves of India are specially designed to address
specific resources and opportuni es for coopera on.

Interna onal Solar Alliance (ISA)

The idea of the Interna onal Solar Alliance was conceived by India as a coopera ve network of solar-
rich countries. In 2015, at the Paris Climate Conference, India and France jointly announced the ISA
as an alliance to boost the produc on of renewable energy with the help of solar power.[xiii] The ISA
was formed as a collabora on among na ons within the Torrid Zone, encompassing regions between
the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, where sunlight is abundant and there’s good
poten al to generate solar power.[xiv] The alliance ini ally witnessed the par cipa on of mostly
tropical countries. However, during its First General Assembly in October 2018, an amendment to the
ISA's Framework Agreement was made, which universalised its membership and opened
par cipa on to all United Na ons member states. Presently, the ISA has 116 countries as signatories
to the main legal text, of which 94 have become full-fledged members.[xv]

The ISA operates through nine dedicated programmes centred on its overarching priority areas.
These programmes include Affordable Finance at Scale, Scaling Solar Applica ons for Agricultural Use
(SSAAU), Solarising Hea ng and Cooling Systems, Scaling Solar Mini-Grids, Scaling Solar Roo ops,
Scaling Solar E-Mobility & Storage, Solar Park, Solar for Green Hydrogen and Solar Ba ery and Waste
Management.[xvi] Through its inclusive approach and strategic focus on promo ng solar energy
across various sectors, the ISA plays a pivotal role in advancing global efforts to combat climate
change and transi on towards renewable energy sources. By leveraging the solar capacity of its
member countries and fostering collabora on among na ons, the ISA endeavours to accelerate the
adop on of solar energy technologies and drive sustainable development on a global scale.[xvii]

One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG)

To supplement the idea of the Interna onal Solar Alliance (ISA), PM Modi proposed the One Sun One
World One Grid (OSOWOG) ini a ve at the ISA Assembly in 2018[xviii]. It gained further momentum
with its launch during the COP26 World Leaders' Summit in 2021.[xix] Endorsed by over 80 countries,
the OSOWOG ini a ve sought to connect the networks of energy supply globally and assist in the
development of interconnected electricity grids beyond na onal borders.[xx] By enhancing and
easing access to energy with the help of mini-grids and off-grid solu ons, this ini a ve hopes to
facilitate an accelerated transi on to a clean-powered future.[xxi]

The ini a ve aims to foster global collabora on and interconnec vity based on three key
engagement pillars: poli cal engagement, ins tu onal engagement and research and knowledge
sharing. The first seeks to build trust between par cipa ng countries through poli cal engagement
driven by representa ve individuals or groups from each region. The second aims to facilitate
engagement between interna onal ins tu ons in the financial and technical sectors, led by a joint
commi ee comprising the ISA and other mul lateral stakeholders. The third focuses on sharing
knowledge and informa on in interna onal peer-to-peer learning networks of regulators and grid
operators.[xxii] This way, the collabora on between governments and businesses under the
OSOWOG partnership aims to enhance energy grid expansion across regions and con nents, paving
the way for universal access to sustainable energy. This collec ve endeavour seeks to develop the
essen al infrastructure required for global reliance on renewable energy sources, thus propelling
forward the worldwide ini a ve for a clean energy transi on.[xxiii]

Leadership Group for Industry Transi on (LeadIT)

Another ini a ve working specifically towards clean energy transi on is the Leadership Group for
Industry Transi on (LeadIT). LeadIT was launched at the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Ac on
Summit in New York in 2019 and was deemed a mechanism to achieve a climate-safe industrial
transi on.[xxiv] The effort was ini ated by the governments of Sweden and India with support from
the World Economic Forum (WEF) and represents the first global high-level ini a ve targe ng net-
zero emissions from heavy industry.[xxv]

According to a study by the Stockholm Environment Ins tute, industries account for approximately
30% of global CO2 emissions. Therefore, significant emission reduc ons are required to meet the
Paris Agreement target of limi ng global warming to two degrees in this sector.[xxvi] Further no ng
that decarbonisa on efforts by industries are undertaken mainly in developed na ons, LeadIT hopes
to address challenges unique to developing countries facing the brunt of increasing industrial
emissions.[xxvii] To achieve this transi on, LeadIT facilitates collabora on between public and
private sector players in the form of high-level dialogues, mee ngs between decarbonisa on
specialists, enhancing processes with scien fic tools and tracking decarbonisa on plans and
investments in heavy industry sectors.

One of the most important components of LeadIT’s approach is the Industry Transi on Tracker, an
online database of industry performances and progress towards a posi ve transi on at a na onal
scale.[xxviii] The Tracker showcases a concise overview of the industry’s progress, specifically in
achieving the net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. It largely helps to monitor the status of
change in various countries and visualise transi ons in heavy industry sectors.[xxix] With the help of
this approach, LeadIT seeks to create a collabora ve policy network, enhance financial flows and
share best prac ces to accelerate the transi on to sustainable industrial prac ces.

Global Biofuels Alliance

Understanding the need for a greener transi on, India launched the Global Biofuels Alliance at the
G20 Summit in New Delhi as a priority ini a ve aimed at forming a global partnership to reap the
climate-safe benefits of switching to biofuels.[xxx] The Alliance comprises 19 na ons and 12
interna onal organisa ons, including influen al bodies like the World Economic Forum, the World
Bank and the Asian Development Bank.[xxxi] The alliance also includes the world’s largest and
second-largest biofuel producers, the US and Brazil, respec vely.[xxxii]

Primarily aimed at accelera ng the adop on of sustainable biofuels, the alliance also seeks to work
towards advancing biofuel technology, increasing the u lisa on of sustainable biofuels to address
concerns regarding indirect land use change (ILUC) and establishing concrete standards and
cer fica on mechanisms.[xxxiii] As a knowledge hub, the alliance focuses on fostering global
collabora on while ensuring secure and affordable renewable energy supplies.[xxxiv] The
Interna onal Energy Agency underlines the necessity for an annual 11% increase in biofuel
produc on throughout this decade to align with net-zero objec ves, a target the Global Biofuel
Alliance endeavours to achieve.[xxxv]

The Green Development Pact

The G20 New Delhi Declara on included the Green Development Pact,[xxxvi] which aims to take up
the challenges faced by the countries of the Global South in par cular and bridge the gap between
the north and south to work together to encourage a transi on towards a greener society. The pact
stands on several ideas that combine to give it shape. Firstly, it builds on the efficient resource use
and sustainable consump on, which are characterised by the principles of ini a ves like Lifestyles
for Sustainable Development.[xxxvii] Then, it focuses on transi oning to clean and inclusive energy
systems and emphasises tripling of renewable energy capacity worldwide by 2030.[xxxviii] It further
highlights the necessity of sustainable climate finance and significant investments in the clean energy
sector, including the whole ambit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It recognises the
role of the blue economy in climate regula on and sustainable resource management. Lastly, it also
underscores the need for disaster-resilient infrastructure and the establishment of pla orms like a
new Disaster Risk Reduc on Working Group within the G20 to avert the impact of
calami es.[xxxix] These components combine to cons tute the Green Development Pact, adopted by
the G20 leaders to promote environmental sustainability and facilitate coopera on between na ons
for a greener, more resilient future.

Mission LiFE – Lifestyle for the Environment

The Mission LiFE ini a ve, presented by PM Modi at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow[xl], has set the
stage for an India-led campaign at a global level, emphasising the need for individual ac on to deal
with climate change and its effects. He explained it as a global campaign for "mindful and deliberate
u lisa on, instead of mindless and destruc ve consump on," aimed at developing a sustainable
environment.[xli] Thus, with this though ul vision, India included LiFE provisions and approaches to
its Na onally Determined Contribu on (NDC).[xlii]

Mission LiFE operates through a non-linear and contemporary approach and is introduced in three
phases. The first phase, Change in Demand, focuses on fostering global par cipa on in basic
environmental ac ons in daily life. This phase aims to suggest that individuals adopt environmentally
friendly prac ces. The second phase, Change in Supply, focuses on the adjustments in supply
strategies based on individual demand shi s in the markets. The widespread adop on of eco-friendly
behaviours is an cipated to prompt changes in supply, which will require procurement prac ces to
align with the new demands. The third phase, Change in Policy, seeks to achieve the long-term
objec ves of Mission LiFE by targe ng major shi s in industrial and government policies. By
influencing demand and supply dynamics, the mission aims to promote sustainable consump on and
produc on.[xliii] The eventual goal of Mission LiFE is to drive systemic changes in policies to foster a
more sustainable future.

At the na onal level, India is taking several steps to promote LiFE prac ces and approaches. Mission
LiFE aims to nurture and promote environmentally conscious lifestyles in Indians by 2028. The
country further hopes to make at least 80% of rural and urban local bodies in India adopt sustainable
lifestyles by 2028.[xliv] With an ac on-oriented a tude, India sets the stage for other countries to
join Mission LiFE, as a study by the Interna onal Energy Agency suggests that by 2030, it can
decrease carbon emissions by 2 billion metric tonnes per year.[xlv]

Green Credits Ini a ve

Furthering the principles of Mission Lifestyle for Environment at COP 28 in Dubai, India called for
another pro-planet strategy, the Green Credits Ini a ve.[xlvi] Supported by several world leaders,
PM Modi launched the web portal of the Green Credits Programme along with Swedish PM Ulf
Kristersson, Mozambique’s President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, and the President of the European Council,
Charles Michel.[xlvii] This ini a ve adds to Mission LiFE by transcending the tradi onal carbon credit
mindset and encouraging public par cipa on to create a carbon sink. It seeks to frame a
par cipatory pla orm to facilitate the sharing of innova ve methods and programmes aimed at
safeguarding the environment.[xlviii]

The Green Credits Ini a ve works within the Indian government’s Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)
movement, which emphasises the importance of water conserva on and afforesta on as its two
primary priori es. Within the government's environmental agenda, it operates as a mechanism that
incen vises voluntary environmental ac ons across various sectors and stakeholders in the
market.[xlix] It works as a process where environmental ac ons are incen vised by issuing tradeable
green credits. These credits, allocated to specific environmental ac vi es, can be traded on domes c
market pla orms.[l] This approach aims to encourage corpora ons and private companies to engage
in pro-planet ac vi es such as plan ng trees, engaging in sustainable agriculture, adop ng prac ces
for water conserva on and proper waste management. By incen vising these ac ons, the ini a ve
seeks to address climate challenges faced by the country while promo ng sustainable
development.[li]

The increasing risk of irreversible environmental changes underscores the importance of not just
preserving but also restoring natural resources. To be successful, this programme must achieve scale
beyond the Indian market.[lii] Par cipa on by other countries in the ini a ve will result in
exponen al growth in the pursuit of environmental sustainability, thereby realising its target of an
interna onal collabora ve approach.

India-led Climate Change Adapta on Ini a ves at the Global Stage

No ng the necessity of focusing on climate change mi ga on and adapta on, India has introduced
plans and ini a ves that seek global involvement in building resilience against climate change's
effects. Hence, the following are India-led ini a ves with global par cipa on that work specifically
towards enabling improved adapta on capabili es and prac ces:

Coali on for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

Launched in 2019 at the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Ac on Summit in New York, the Coali on for
Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was conceptualized by India and backed by the UN.[liii] India
launched the ini a ve along with 12 other founding members, namely Australia, Bhutan, Fiji,
Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and the UK. The CDRI has
now grown into a mul -stakeholder partnership involving the par cipa on of 31 na ons, six
interna onal organisa ons, mul lateral development banks, academic ins tu ons and private sector
organisa ons.[liv]

The primary objec ve of CDRI is to develop resilient infrastructure and to make exis ng structures
more resilient, with the ul mate goal of reducing infrastructure losses on account of natural
disasters. CDRI notes that up to 66% of public sector losses induced by natural disasters have been
due to infrastructure damage.[lv] Hence, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target
9.1, the coali on seeks to develop sustainable and resilient infrastructure and focus on key areas,
including governance, policy, emerging technology, risk assessment, recovery and resilience
standards.[lvi] Addi onally, SDG target 9.a emphasises the importance of providing financial and
technical support to developing countries, which the coali on focuses on by calling for collec ve
finance and capacity building. Moreover, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduc on (UNDRR) also
es mates that around USD 94 trillion is required over the next 20 years for investments in
infrastructural development.[lvii] Hence, India took the lead in calling for collabora on on CDRI,
emphasising its inclusive approach and the poten al to synergise the efforts of developed and
developing countries, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Landlocked Developing Countries
(LLDCs) to build resilient economies and communi es by fostering cross-sector commitments at all
levels.

Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS)

Launched at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow, Infrastructure for Resilient Island States was co-created
by CDRI as a specifically dedicated step towards the infrastructural development of Small Island
Developing States (SIDS).[lviii] It was also introduced by India, along with the United Kingdom,
Australia, Fiji, Jamaica and Mauri us, to support vulnerable island na ons in achieving sustainable
progress through a collabora ve, systema c approach by the member states.[lix] The IRIS aims to
work with SIDS to determine opportuni es for possible technological partnerships to strengthen
infrastructure systems and further build resilience capacity.

Furthermore, IRIS seeks to directly contribute to the SIDS Accelerated Modali es of Ac on (SAMOA)
Pathway by pursuing three key outcomes. Firstly, it seeks to bolster the resilience of infrastructure in
SIDS against the effects of climate change and natural disaster-induced risks. Secondly, it aims to
enhance knowledge and focus on merging resilience-building prac ces into SIDS infrastructure
through improved partnerships. Lastly, it also endeavours to promote gender equality and disability
inclusion through its approach.[lx] Through these concerted efforts, IRIS strives to advance the
resilience and sustainability of infrastructure in SIDS, contribu ng to their long-term prosperity and
well-being.

India Se ng the Stage for a Transi on to Green Hydrogen

India is guiding mi ga on plans through several ini a ves at both the na onal and interna onal
levels. At the na onal level, the government of India, non-governmental organisa ons (NGOs) and
various private players are collabora ng to address the issues. One such contemporary approach
towards climate sustainability that has garnered much apprecia on is the Na onal Green Hydrogen
Mission.

India's energy transi on focuses on increasing renewable energy usage across all sectors, with green
hydrogen emerging as a promising alterna ve. Green hydrogen is produced sustainably from water
and renewable energy sources. It is gaining widespread trac on owing to its characteris c of
discharging minimal greenhouse gases.[lxi] Recognising its poten al, the Union Cabinet approved the
Na onal Green Hydrogen Mission on January 4, 2022, with several objec ves in mind.[lxii] These
include posi oning India as a global leader in green hydrogen produc on, crea ng export
opportuni es, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, fostering indigenous manufacturing
capabili es, a rac ng investment, genera ng employment and suppor ng research and
development ini a ves.[lxiii] By promo ng the produc on and adop on of green hydrogen, India
aims to mi gate its carbon footprint, enhance energy security and foster economic growth through
sustainable means.

A report curated by NITI Aayog flagged that India's annual energy imports exceed US$ 160 billion,
which prompted the establishment of the Na onal Green Hydrogen Mission to overcome this
challenge and posi on the country as a major hub for green hydrogen produc on, export and
manufacturing.[lxiv] Policy support is underway through this ini a ve, which will allocate INR 197
billion to incen vise indigenous produc on of five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually
by 2030.[lxv] While export opportuni es are significant, crea ng local demand for green hydrogen is
equally crucial. Similar to renewable energy promo on policies, subsidies and purchase obliga ons
can s mulate local demand, further aiding the adop on of green hydrogen domes cally. Hence,
leveraging academic prowess, industrial exper se and clean energy capacity, India aims to emerge as
a leading player in the global energy transi on through green hydrogen.[lxvi]

Conclusion

The world is faced with far-reaching effects of climate change. Consistent popula on growth and the
expansion of industrial ac vi es globally make the effects of climate change increasingly apparent. It
is cri cal to address the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters, and to mi gate the
devasta ng consequences the world is already encountering.[lxvii] The urgent need for ac on is
highlighted by the widespread effects of resource deple on, air pollu on, rising global temperatures
and glacier mel ng. There would be dire repercussions if climate change and global warming
con nued on their current trajectory.

India is leading effort by ini a ves that seek collec ve approaches to address climate change and its
consequent impacts. The country has garnered much apprecia on at the interna onal level as its
ini a ves have witnessed global par cipa on. India’s defining role in spearheading these ini a ves
demonstrates its commitment to addressing the challenges faced by developing countries. It also
displays India’s stand on the ineffec veness of developed countries in addressing the issue of climate
change despite having be er resources than other countries. India’s emphasis on much-needed
global coopera on to address this issue is visible in its leadership approach, as renewable resources
such as solar power, biofuels, green hydrogen, etc. are already present and being used. India has
introduced interna onal collabora ve networks to make the best of these resources.

Concurrently, India has made strides in its capacity to adopt greener methods of energy genera on.
There’s an increase in non-fossil electricity genera on, with renewable capacity reaching 165 GW,
comprising 40% of total electricity genera on capacity.[lxviii] Solar capacity alone has seen
substan al growth, reaching 60.8 GW, while nuclear energy contributes 6.78 GW, totalling non-fossil
electricity at 42% of the genera on.[lxix] India's climate change policies priori se aligning
development with climate outcomes, focusing on missions and programmes to reduce vulnerability.
With commitments and strategies to mi gate greenhouse gas emissions and scale up clean
technologies, India has made significant progress in mee ng its Na onally Determined Contribu ons
(NDCs) since 2016.[lxx] Efforts to reduce emissions intensity have been successful, with targets
achieved in advance and increased for the future.[lxxi] This progress reflects India's commitment to
sustainable energy and climate ac on and underscores the country’s poten al to oversee consistent
growth in the produc on of energy through renewable and non-fossil sources, and to spearhead
climate-friendly and environmentally conscious global collabora ve ini a ves.