Date : 1/12/2023

Relevance: GS Paper 3 – Environment and Ecology

Keywords: COP, CBDR-RC principle, CBDR-RC principle, CDRI, ISA

Context-

India, the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, plays a pivotal role in the global fight against climate change. Over the years, its influence in international economic and geopolitical affairs has grown, reflected in its proactive participation in the annual climate change conferences, known as the Conference of Parties (COP). This comprehensive overview traces India's journey from hosting COP8 in 2008 to its recent engagements in COP26 in 2021. The discussion spans India's emissions profile, historical stance at COPs, recent assertiveness, climate commitments, initiatives, negotiating groups, and non-negotiable red lines.

India's Emissions Landscape

• India, due to its extensive size and population, stands as one of the prominent contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, showing a nearly fourfold increase from 1970 to the present, according to the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research.
• Approximately 40% of India's emissions emanate from the electricity production sector, while land transport contributes around 10%.
• Despite substantial overall emissions, India maintains a relatively low per capita emission rate, measuring at less than half of the global average.
• The low per capita emissions imply lower access to energy, reduced consumption, and comparatively lower standards of living in the country.
• India strategically utilizes its low per capita emissions as a counterargument to international calls for capping its overall emissions. The rationale behind this stance is the country's commitment to raising its population's living standards to levels akin to those in developed countries.

India at Historical COPs

• Since the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit that led to the establishment of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), India has consistently advocated against an unequal distribution of the climate action burden, particularly favoring developing nations.
• At the core of the UNFCCC lies the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). This principle underscores the idea that, although addressing climate change is a collective responsibility, affluent and developed countries should shoulder a significant portion of this burden. This responsibility is attributed not only to their historical emissions but also to their greater resources and capacity to take effective action.
• During COP3 in 1997, Indian negotiators played a pivotal role in the Kyoto Protocol, which strongly adhered to the CBDR-RC principle. Developed countries were assigned specific emission reduction targets for the 2008-2012 period, while developing nations, including India and China, were granted the flexibility to pursue "nationally appropriate" climate actions.
• However, the Kyoto Protocol faced inherent instability due to constraints imposed on rich countries. Over successive COP decisions between 2008 and 2015, when the Paris Agreement was finalized, India's primary objective was to resist the gradual erosion of the CBDR-RC principle.
• The Paris Agreement, while mandating every country to formulate and implement its climate actions, introduces a notable shift. Although all nations are expected to have a climate action plan known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), no mandatory targets are imposed. While a marginal distinction between developed and developing countries is informally retained, the agreement represents a departure from the stricter framework of the Kyoto Protocol.

India's Evolving Role at Recent COPs

• In the past, India predominantly played a behind-the-scenes role at international climate conferences. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift as New Delhi has become more assertive and proactive in presenting its own narrative. Additionally, India's conduct is under closer scrutiny since the Paris Agreement, especially considering its status as one of the world's fastest-growing economies.
• During the 2021 COP26 meeting in Glasgow, India wielded its influence by last-minute intervention, altering the final draft outcome. Notably, it succeeded in changing the term "phase-out" of coal to "phase-down." In the preceding year's Sharm el-Sheikh meeting, India advocated for a broader phase-down strategy encompassing all fossil fuels, a proposal that continues to generate heated discussions and is met with caution by several nations. Furthermore, India has been actively emphasizing the imperative for lifestyle changes to mitigate energy consumption and reduce emissions.

India's National Determined Contributions (NDCs) Evolution

• New Delhi has submitted two sets of NDCs thus far. The initial NDC outlined three specific commitments: India aimed to decrease its emissions intensity, measured as emissions per unit of GDP, by 33 to 35% from 2005 levels by 2030.
• Additionally, the country pledged that at least 40% of its installed electricity capacity in 2030 would be derived from non-fossil fuel sources.
• Another commitment involved creating a carbon sink by adding 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes through tree and forest cover. The first NDC also included various measures without precise targets.
• In the updated NDC, revealed last year, India increased the targets for the first two commitments.
• Notably, the emission intensity reduction goal was raised to 4%, and the target for non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity was elevated to 50%.

These adjustments were made as India had already surpassed the earlier targets, achieving them eight years ahead of schedule.

India's Impactful Global Climate Initiatives

• India has spearheaded global initiatives on climate change, garnering support from numerous countries. While these initiatives operate outside the formal COP discussions, they have significantly influenced the global climate dialogue.
• The International Solar Alliance (ISA), launched during the 2015 Paris meeting, aims to promote widespread solar energy adoption worldwide. Evolving into a fully-fledged UN-affiliated multilateral agency, the ISA has become a pivotal player in advancing solar energy solutions globally.
• The Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) follows a similar model, aspiring to serve as the global knowledge hub for building more resilient infrastructure. Particularly drawing interest from developing countries, especially small island states most vulnerable to climate disasters, the CDRI addresses crucial climate resilience needs.
• India's collaboration with the International Energy Agency (IEA) resulted in an analysis of its proposals. According to the IEA, simple lifestyle changes possess the potential to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by about 2 billion tonnes annually by 2030, with governments having the authority to mandate nearly 60% of these savings.
• India's LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Mission has gained broader acceptance internationally, finding a place in the final outcomes of the G20 summit held in New Delhi earlier this year.

India's Participation in COP Negotiations

In the intricate landscape of COP negotiations, involving over 190 countries, the discourse primarily takes place through both formal and informal negotiating groups. These groups, comprising representatives from various nations, collaborate to solidify shared positions on diverse issues, subsequently presenting them in the formal negotiation arena.

G77 Group: A Developing World Coalition

India holds a significant role as an original member of the G77 group, a coalition of developing countries. Despite its name, the G77 has expanded to include over 130 members, representing nearly the entire developing world. Within this group, India collaborates with other nations to articulate collective stances on key matters.

BASIC Group: Collective Strength from Brazil, South Africa, India, and China

In recent times, India, along with Brazil, South Africa, and China, has been instrumental in forming the BASIC group. This coalition has emerged as a formidable force, amplifying the collective voice of its member nations on global climate platforms.

LMDC Bloc: Alliance of Like-Minded Developing Countries

India is also an integral part of the Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) bloc, a coalition comprising around 20 major developing nations. This bloc enables India to align with other like-minded countries to assert shared perspectives and interests during COP negotiations.

Tactical Alliances: Navigating Specific Issues

Beyond these broad coalitions, India, like other nations, strategically engages in tactical alliances that coalesce around specific issues. These ad-hoc groups allow countries to collaborate effectively on matters of mutual concern, showcasing the dynamic nature of climate negotiations.

India's Non-Negotiable Positions: Red Lines in Climate Negotiations

Evolution of Red Lines: From CBDR-RC to Individualistic Standpoints

In the complex realm of climate negotiations characterized by compromises, each country maintains certain non-negotiable red lines. For India, the steadfast defense of the Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) principle was a historical red line. Over time, however, practical implementation has seen a significant erosion of this principle. Presently, India's red lines reflect more individualistic perspectives.

Emissions Reduction Proposals

One of India's unequivocal red lines is any proposal demanding a direct reduction in its emissions. New Delhi's climate actions revolve around reducing emissions intensity, measured as emissions per unit of GDP, rather than an absolute reduction in emissions. This approach means that while overall emissions may increase, they are proportionally declining concerning GDP. Consequently, India rejects any notions of defining a peak or peak year for its emissions.

Coal-Fired Power Plant Shutdown

India adamantly opposes immediate demands for the shutdown of coal-fired power plants. Insisting on a reliance on coal for power production for at least the next fifteen years, India underscores the necessity of a gradual transition.

Agriculture Sector Emission Cuts

Emission cuts in the agriculture sector stand as another firm red line for India. This sector, encompassing agriculture and animal husbandry, contributes nearly 15% to India's annual emissions, primarily comprising methane. While methane is a potent greenhouse gas, India contends that agreeing to emission cuts in agriculture could necessitate changes in cropping patterns, posing substantial implications for the country's food security.

Conclusion

India's journey in climate diplomacy, from hosting COP8 to actively shaping discussions in COP26, reflects its evolving role on the global stage. Balancing economic growth with climate responsibilities, India has transitioned from defending CBDR-RC to asserting its individualistic red lines. The emphasis on lifestyle changes, ambitious NDCs, and global initiatives like ISA and CDRI showcases India's commitment to sustainable development. As the world grapples with climate challenges, India's proactive engagement remains crucial for achieving collective climate goals.

Source- The Indian Express