India at the Crossroads: Balancing Growth and Global Climate Leadership
On Monday, November 18, 2024, Delhi woke up to a dystopian nightmare—an eerie, smog-choked world straight out of a Mad Max movie. Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in parts of Delhi-NCR skyrocketed to over 1,500—numbers so extreme they seemed more fitting for a scientific doomsday simulation than reality.
At the same time, world leaders gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan, for COP29 to deliberate on climate action plans and emission cuts. While negotiators debated the feasibility of phasing out fossil fuels, Delhi was a living testament to the cost of delay and inaction. The disconnect couldn’t have been more profound.
At COP29, the weakening global resolve to phase out fossil fuels stood out amidst all other discussions. Despite prior commitments, debates at the summit revealed an inertia among major players, with some nations outright rejecting language on fossil fuel transitions. For Delhi’s residents, however, there was no such ambiguity—the air they breathed was laden with the undeniable evidence of a world failing to act decisively on climate change.
The ‘climatic’ alarm bells went off long ago, and it just keeps getting worse every year. Last year broke all records – as oceanic temperatures registered the maximum rise; sea levels rose, and a severe drop was noticed in global glacier cover and Antarctic Sea ice. 2024 has followed suit, claiming the title of the hottest year so far.
Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, storms, wildfires, heavy rains, droughts, and floods not only cause massive losses to life and property but are a looming threat to mankind and its very existence!
Climate Change Affects All
Each year, state leaders gather to discuss climate goals and emission reduction progress. But should climate action concern only governments and experts—or everyone? The crisis affects us all, impacting livelihoods, food, health, and infrastructure. It’s not just about rising temperatures; it disproportionately harms the poor, who have fewer resources, opportunities, and safety nets.
Climate change is an urgent issue that threatens our very survival. I have witnessed firsthand how farmers in North India were forced to watch helplessly as their crops withered under intense heat. With temperatures soaring past 49°C (120°F), water sources dried up, electricity was cut during peak hours, and the stifling temperatures made even basic tasks exhausting. Yields suffered, impacting farmer incomes and livelihoods, showing how extreme heat driven by climate change isn’t just a statistic—it’s a daily struggle for countless families across India.
Should India Be Worried?
Countries like India are especially vulnerable to climate risks. Ranked seventh on the 2024 Global Climate Risk Index, India also ranks third in disaster susceptibility per the XDI’s Gross Domestic Climate Risk ranking, with nine states among the world’s 50 most vulnerable regions.
Under a high-emission scenario, the Asian Development Bank warns that India could face a 24.7% GDP loss by 2070 due to climate-related disruptions, impacting labor productivity and agriculture. The World Economic Forum projects that over 50 million Indians could fall back into poverty by 2100.
Taking Rural India Along in the Process of Withholding Climate Commitments
Although government subsidies have introduced solar panels in rural areas, much of India’s energy demand continues to be met by coal-based thermal power stations. Coal remains affordable, accessible, and deeply entrenched as a reliable source of energy, often preferred over newer and initially costlier alternatives like solar microgrids. This reliance underscores the urgent need for transformative efforts to make clean energy practical, affordable, and accessible to rural communities.
New commitments made at COP29, including Acumen’s $300 million agricultural adaptation fund, present a promising opportunity to address these challenges. Investments in drought-resistant crops, water conservation techniques, and climate-resilient agricultural practices can directly support rural livelihoods while reducing dependency on fossil fuels. Empowering women, who are pivotal to farming, water management, and household energy decisions, is essential to driving these changes.
COP29 reminded us that when it comes to tackling climate change, women are the unsung heroes—and it’s time they took center stage. In rural India, women have long been the backbone of sustainability, leading grassroots efforts in waste management and afforestation. Further, initiatives to empower women as “solar ambassadors” or local clean energy entrepreneurs can help bridge the gap between the availability of renewable energy solutions and their adoption.
By involving women in local governance structures such as panchayats (village councils) and equipping them with education and resources, India can create more inclusive and effective climate strategies. Supporting women in leadership roles and strengthening their capacity to champion sustainable practices will ensure that rural India is not only part of the solution but also a leader in tackling climate challenges.
India at COP29
At COP29, India has emerged as a steady voice in a world of shifting dynamics and wavering resolve. While India doubled down on its demands for equitable carbon markets and financial accountability from developed nations, major economies grappled with their own shifting priorities. Fossil fuel transitions, once a global rallying cry, faced resistance, with some nations backing away from hard commitments and others outright rejecting new language on phase-outs.
Amid this flux, India’s proactive achievements—exceeding renewable energy targets and championing regional air quality agreements—stood in stark contrast to the lukewarm pledges from wealthier nations.
What’s on the Horizon?
The next step in our journey is building a commitment to co-create a sustainable future, with climate action at the core of our growth. Achieving this requires solutions tailored to India’s unique needs, such as clean energy access and improved air quality, while aligning with global climate objectives.
As COP29 underscored, meaningful climate action demands not only ambitious policies but also the active participation of communities, especially women. When communities across India adopt sustainable practices, climate goals will move from policies on paper to real, impactful change.
