Overview

Climate diplomacy has become one of the most consequential arenas of international relations in the 21st century. India — the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in absolute terms but with per capita emissions far below the global average — occupies a unique position. It demands climate justice based on the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), while simultaneously leading global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement. This chapter examines India's evolving climate positions from Copenhagen to Baku, its leadership of green initiatives, governance of global commons, and the complex politics of climate finance.


India's Core Climate Positions

Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR-RC)

Concept Detail
Origin Principle 7 of the Rio Declaration (1992) at the Earth Summit
Full name Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)
Core idea All nations share responsibility for addressing climate change, but developed countries bear greater responsibility because they have historically emitted the most and have greater financial and technological capacity
India's position India consistently argues that developed nations (responsible for ~79% of cumulative CO2 emissions since 1850) must take the lead in mitigation and provide finance and technology to developing countries
Legal basis Enshrined in UNFCCC (1992), Kyoto Protocol (1997), and the Paris Agreement (2015) — though Paris shifted toward self-determined nationally determined contributions (NDCs)

Per Capita Emissions Argument

Metric India USA China EU World Average
Per capita CO2 (2023, approx.) ~2.0 tonnes ~14 tonnes ~8 tonnes ~6 tonnes ~4.7 tonnes
Share of global emissions ~7% ~13% ~30% ~7%
Historical cumulative emissions ~3--4% ~25% ~13% ~22%

India's per capita emissions are approximately half the global average and a fraction of developed nations' per capita emissions. This is the foundation of India's demand for equitable climate action and climate justice.

Climate Justice

Dimension India's Argument
Historical responsibility The climate crisis was created by industrialised nations over 200+ years; developing countries should not bear equal mitigation burden
Development rights India has the right to develop its economy and lift millions out of poverty; climate action cannot come at the cost of development
Technology transfer Developed countries must transfer clean energy technologies at affordable cost — not just sell them at commercial rates
Climate finance Developed countries must honour their financial commitments — the $100 billion/year promise (from 2009 Copenhagen) was met with significant delays and creative accounting
Adaptation equity Developing countries face the worst impacts of climate change but have contributed the least — they need adaptation finance, not just mitigation targets

Mains Favourite: "India contributes only 7% of global emissions but faces some of the worst climate impacts. Discuss India's climate justice argument and its implications for global climate negotiations." A strong answer should cover CBDR, per capita vs absolute emissions, historical responsibility, development rights, and the need for climate finance.


India at Major COPs — A Timeline

Copenhagen (COP15, 2009)

Feature Detail
India's position Led by PM Manmohan Singh; India resisted legally binding emission cuts for developing countries
Key outcome Copenhagen Accord — non-binding; developed countries pledged $100 billion/year by 2020 in climate finance (not met on time)
India's commitment Voluntary pledge to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 20--25% by 2020 over 2005 levels (achieved ahead of schedule)
Significance Marked the emergence of BASIC bloc (Brazil, South Africa, India, China) as a negotiating force

Paris (COP21, 2015)

Feature Detail
Historic outcome Paris Agreement — universal, legally binding agreement to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius, above pre-industrial levels
NDC mechanism Countries submit self-determined nationally determined contributions (NDCs) every 5 years with a ratchet mechanism (must be progressively more ambitious)
India's NDC (2016) (1) Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 33--35% by 2030 over 2005 levels; (2) Achieve 40% cumulative electric power from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030; (3) Create additional carbon sink of 2.5--3 billion tonnes of CO2 through forest cover
India's role Co-launched ISA with France at COP21; key player in negotiating equity provisions

Glasgow (COP26, 2021) — Panchamrit

Feature Detail
India's Panchamrit PM Modi announced five commitments ("Panchamrit" — five nectars of climate action):

The Five Panchamrit Pledges:

Pledge Target
1. Non-fossil energy capacity 500 GW by 2030
2. Renewable energy share 50% of energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030
3. Carbon emission reduction Reduce total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030
4. Carbon intensity reduction Reduce carbon intensity of the economy by 45% over 2005 levels by 2030
5. Net Zero Achieve net-zero emissions by 2070
Feature Detail
Updated NDC (August 2022) India formally updated its NDC incorporating the Panchamrit targets
Significance India was the last major emitter to announce a net-zero target; 2070 timeline criticised by some developed nations but defended by India as realistic given development needs
LiFE announcement PM Modi introduced Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) — calling for a shift from mindless consumption to mindful utilisation

Sharm el-Sheikh (COP27, 2022)

Feature Detail
Key outcome Establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund for climate-vulnerable countries — a historic win for developing nations
India's role Strongly supported the Loss and Damage fund; argued for separate adaptation finance
Implementation challenge Fund structure and contributor base left for COP28 to finalise

Dubai (COP28, 2023) — Global Stocktake

Feature Detail
Global Stocktake (GST) First-ever assessment of collective progress under the Paris Agreement — found the world is not on track to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target
Fossil fuel transition Historic language calling on countries to "transition away from fossil fuels" — first time fossil fuels explicitly mentioned in a COP decision
Loss and Damage Fund operationalised Adopted on the first day; World Bank designated as interim trustee for 4 years; initial pledges: UAE $100M, Germany $100M, UK GBP 60M, USA $17.5M, Japan $10M, EU EUR 225M
India's position Supported the GST outcome but emphasised that transition must be equitable and just; cautioned against "unilateral trade measures" (reference to EU CBAM)

Baku (COP29, 2024) — NCQG

Feature Detail
Key outcome New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance — developed countries to mobilise $300 billion annually by 2035 for developing countries
Additional layer A broader aspiration of mobilising up to $1.3 trillion (primarily from private sources)
Developing country reaction Many developing countries (including Bolivia, Nigeria, small island states) called the $300 billion "insultingly low" — they had demanded $1.3 trillion in public finance
India's position Supported the goal as a floor, not a ceiling; demanded clearer accounting and transparency; pushed for grant-based rather than loan-based financing

India-Led Climate Initiatives

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

Feature Detail
Launched 30 November 2015 at COP21 in Paris by PM Modi and French President Hollande
Headquarters National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus, Gurugram, Haryana
Members 120 member and signatory countries (as of 2025)
Treaty status Became a treaty-based international organisation in December 2017
Objective Promote solar energy deployment in solar-resource-rich countries; mobilise investment; reduce technology costs; build capacity
Governance India elected as president and France as co-president (2024--2026)
Key initiative One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) — a global interconnected solar energy grid where "the sun never sets"; merged with UK's Green Grids Initiative at COP26 (2021); proposed in 3 phases — (1) Middle East-South Asia-Southeast Asia, (2) connect to Africa, (3) global grid
Funding target ISA aims to mobilise $1 trillion by 2030 for solar projects in developing countries

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

Feature Detail
Launched 23 September 2019 by PM Modi at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York
Members 60 members (50 countries + 10 organisations) as of 2025
Founding participants India, Australia, Bhutan, Fiji, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, UK
Partners ADB, UNDP, UNDRR, World Bank
Objective Promote resilience of new and existing infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks
Significance First international coalition focused on disaster resilience of infrastructure; fills a gap in the global climate architecture

Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)

Feature Detail
Proposed By PM Modi at COP26 Glasgow, 1 November 2021
Core idea Shift from "mindless and destructive consumption" to "mindful and deliberate utilisation" — making sustainability a mass movement of individual action
Pro-Planet People Individuals who adopt sustainable lifestyles are recognised as "Pro-Planet People"
Implementation LiFE 21-Day Challenge; integration into government programmes — tree plantation, plastic bans, water conservation; multi-ministry coordination
Significance Shifts the climate narrative from production-side regulation to demand-side behavioural change

Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA)

Feature Detail
Launched 9 September 2023 at the G20 New Delhi Summit
Founding members India, USA, and Brazil
Total membership at launch 22 countries + 12 international organisations; including 8 G20 members
Objective Accelerate global adoption of sustainable biofuels through capacity building, technology sharing, and policy harmonisation
Significance Positions India at the centre of the global energy transition; complements ISA (solar) with biofuels

Global Commons Governance

What Are Global Commons?

Global commons are domains that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single nation and are shared by all humanity. Their governance requires multilateral cooperation.

Global Common Key Governance Framework Key Issues
High Seas UNCLOS (1982); BBNJ Treaty (2023) Overfishing, deep-sea mining, marine biodiversity loss, plastic pollution
Antarctica Antarctic Treaty System (1959); Madrid Protocol (1991) Climate research, mineral resource exploitation ban, territorial claims frozen
Outer Space Outer Space Treaty (1967); Moon Agreement (1979) Weaponisation, space debris, satellite mega-constellations, resource extraction
Arctic Arctic Council (1996); UNCLOS Ice melt opening shipping routes; resource competition; indigenous peoples' rights
Atmosphere UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, Montreal Protocol Climate change; ozone depletion (largely addressed); transboundary pollution

BBNJ Treaty — High Seas Biodiversity (2023)

Feature Detail
Full name Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
Adopted 19 June 2023 by the Intergovernmental Conference — by consensus
Entered into force 17 January 2026 — after reaching 60 ratifications on 19 September 2025
Scope Covers the high seas (beyond 200 nautical miles EEZ) and the deep seabed
Key provisions (1) Marine protected areas on the high seas; (2) Environmental impact assessments for high seas activities; (3) Management of marine genetic resources; (4) Capacity building and technology transfer for developing countries
Significance First legally binding treaty for biodiversity protection on the high seas; fills a major governance gap — previously, 64% of the ocean surface had no comprehensive legal protection

Prelims Alert: The BBNJ Treaty was adopted in June 2023 and entered into force in January 2026. It covers areas beyond national jurisdiction (high seas + deep seabed). Key provisions: marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, marine genetic resources, capacity building.

Antarctica

Feature Detail
Antarctic Treaty (1959) Signed by 12 original parties (including India, which acceded in 1983); Antarctica designated for peaceful purposes only; military activity prohibited
Madrid Protocol (1991) Designates Antarctica as a "natural reserve devoted to peace and science"; bans mineral resource exploitation for 50 years (until 2048)
India's presence Maitri Station (est. 1989, Schirmacher Oasis) and Bharati Station (est. 2012, Larsemann Hills); India conducts regular Antarctic Expeditions under NCPOR (National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa)
Key issues Climate research (ice core data), krill fishing, tourism regulation, 2048 review of mineral ban

Outer Space

Feature Detail
Outer Space Treaty (1967) Prohibits national appropriation of celestial bodies; bans nuclear weapons in space; space exploration for benefit of all nations
India's position Supports prevention of arms race in outer space (PAROS); opposes weaponisation; advocates for equitable access to space resources
ISRO's contributions Chandrayaan missions; Mangalyaan; satellite launches for developing countries at affordable cost
Emerging issues Space debris; Artemis Accords (US-led) vs multilateral governance; asteroid mining rights; satellite mega-constellations (Starlink) affecting astronomy

Climate Finance

The $100 Billion Promise

Feature Detail
Origin COP15 Copenhagen (2009) — developed countries committed to mobilise $100 billion per year by 2020 for climate action in developing countries
Delivery The target was reportedly met for the first time in 2022 — two years late — and with significant reliance on loans rather than grants
Criticism Developing countries argue that much of the "climate finance" counted was repurposed development aid, commercial-rate loans, or private investment — not new, additional, grant-based public finance
India's position Demands transparent accounting; insists on grant-based finance; argues that loans increase debt burden of developing countries

New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) — COP29

Feature Detail
Agreed at COP29 Baku (November 2024)
Core target $300 billion per year by 2035 from developed to developing countries
Additional layer Aspiration of mobilising $1.3 trillion (including private sector)
Controversy Developing countries demanded $1.3 trillion in public finance; $300 billion called "insultingly low" by several nations
India's critique Supported $300B as a floor; demanded grant-dominant funding, not loans

Loss and Damage Fund

Feature Detail
Established COP27 Sharm el-Sheikh (2022) — decision to create the fund
Operationalised COP28 Dubai (December 2023) — adopted on day one of the summit
Structure Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) hosted by the World Bank for an interim period of 4 years
Governance Independent governing board and secretariat
Initial pledges UAE: $100M; Germany: $100M; UK: GBP 60M; EU: EUR 225M; USA: $17.5M; Japan: $10M
Purpose Assist climate-vulnerable developing countries in managing economic and non-economic losses from climate impacts (extreme weather, sea-level rise, desertification)
India's position Strongly supports; argues that loss and damage finance must be separate from adaptation finance — not counted as the same

Green Climate Fund (GCF)

Feature Detail
Established 2010 (under UNFCCC); HQ in Incheon, South Korea
Purpose Channel climate finance from developed to developing countries; fund both mitigation and adaptation projects
Capitalisation Over $12 billion pledged in the initial resource mobilisation; second replenishment in 2023 raised ~$9.3 billion
India's access India accesses GCF through accredited entities (NABARD is India's Direct Access Entity); funded projects include coastal resilience, solar energy, and sustainable agriculture

EU CBAM — Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

Feature Detail
What A tariff mechanism that imposes a carbon price on imports based on their embedded carbon content — applicable to cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, and hydrogen
Transitional phase 1 October 2023 -- 2025 (reporting only)
Definitive phase From 2026 — importers must purchase CBAM certificates
Impact on India Affects ~$8.2 billion worth of Indian exports to the EU (27% of iron/steel and aluminium exports); estimated price burden of ~25% on affected steel and aluminium exports
India's response (1) Called CBAM a potential trade barrier that contradicts CBDR; (2) Exploring domestic carbon pricing (Emissions Trading System under development); (3) Engaging with EU through technical dialogues (DG TAXUD-India meetings, 2024); (4) Considering advocacy for equitable redistribution of CBAM revenues to affected developing countries
UPSC angle CBAM raises questions about trade-climate nexus, equity, WTO compatibility, and the future of CBDR

Mains Favourite: "The EU's CBAM threatens to shift the climate burden onto developing countries. Critically examine India's options." Cover: (1) What CBAM is and how it works, (2) Impact on Indian exports, (3) India's climate justice argument (CBDR, per capita emissions), (4) Policy options (domestic carbon pricing, FTA negotiations, WTO challenge, coalition-building with other developing countries).


Climate Litigation and Emerging Trends

Trend Detail
Global rise Over 2,600 climate litigation cases filed worldwide as of 2024; courts increasingly holding governments and corporations accountable for climate action
India MC Mehta v. Union of India (pollution); Ridhima Pandey (9-year-old) — petition to NGT (2017) demanding government action on climate change; In Re: Climate Change (Supreme Court, 2024) — recognised the right against climate change under Articles 14 and 21
International Urgenda Foundation v. Netherlands (2019) — Dutch government ordered to cut emissions 25% by 2020; ICJ advisory opinion request on climate obligations (UNGA Resolution, 2023)
Significance Courts emerging as a third pillar of climate governance alongside negotiations (COPs) and legislation

Summary Table — India's Climate Diplomacy at a Glance

Forum / Initiative Year India's Key Contribution
UNFCCC 1992 CBDR-RC principle champion
Kyoto Protocol 1997 No binding targets for developing countries (CDM participant)
Copenhagen (COP15) 2009 BASIC bloc formation; voluntary intensity target
Paris (COP21) 2015 NDC submitted; co-launched ISA
ISA 2015 Co-founded with France; 120 members; Gurugram HQ
CDRI 2019 Launched at UN Climate Summit; 60 members
Glasgow (COP26) 2021 Panchamrit; Net Zero 2070; LiFE
GBA 2023 Co-founded with USA, Brazil at G20
Dubai (COP28) 2023 Supported GST; Loss and Damage Fund operationalised
Baku (COP29) 2024 NCQG $300B; demanded grant-dominant finance
BBNJ Treaty 2023/2026 Supported high seas biodiversity governance

UPSC Relevance

Prelims Focus Areas

  • CBDR-RC: Principle 7 of Rio Declaration (1992); Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities
  • Paris Agreement (2015): limit warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius); NDCs; ratchet mechanism
  • India's Panchamrit (COP26, 2021): 500 GW non-fossil capacity; 50% renewable energy; 1 billion tonnes reduction; 45% intensity reduction; net zero by 2070
  • ISA: launched COP21, 2015; Gurugram, Haryana; 120 members; India president (2024--2026)
  • CDRI: launched September 2019 at UN Climate Summit; 60 members; infrastructure resilience
  • LiFE: announced COP26, 2021; "mindful utilisation"
  • GBA: launched G20 New Delhi (September 2023); India, USA, Brazil founding members
  • OSOWOG: One Sun One World One Grid; merged with GGI at COP26
  • Loss and Damage Fund: established COP27 (2022); operationalised COP28 (2023); World Bank as trustee
  • NCQG: COP29 Baku (2024); $300 billion/year by 2035
  • BBNJ Treaty: adopted June 2023; entered into force January 2026; high seas biodiversity
  • EU CBAM: transitional phase October 2023; definitive from 2026; impacts Indian steel/aluminium exports
  • Green Climate Fund: HQ Incheon, South Korea; NABARD is India's Direct Access Entity

Mains Focus Areas

  • Evaluate India's climate justice argument. Is the CBDR principle still relevant in the context of India's rising absolute emissions?
  • Assess the role of India-led initiatives (ISA, CDRI, LiFE, GBA) in shaping global climate governance
  • "The Paris Agreement marked a paradigm shift in climate diplomacy." Discuss with reference to India's evolving position
  • How does the EU CBAM challenge India's trade interests and the CBDR principle? What should India's response strategy be?
  • Analyse the governance challenges of global commons — high seas, Antarctica, outer space — in the context of geopolitical competition
  • Evaluate the adequacy of climate finance mechanisms (GCF, Loss and Damage Fund, NCQG) for addressing the needs of developing countries
  • Has the concept of "net zero" become an excuse for delaying near-term climate action? Discuss with reference to India's 2070 target

Vocabulary

Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)

  • Pronunciation: /ˈkɒm.ən bʌt ˌdɪf.ərˈen.ʃi.eɪ.tɪd rɪˌspɒn.sɪˈbɪl.ɪ.tiz/
  • Definition: A foundational principle of international environmental law, enshrined in the UNFCCC and the Rio Declaration (1992), which holds that while all states share a common responsibility to address global environmental degradation, the extent of their obligations differs based on their historical contribution to the problem and their economic and technological capacity to address it.
  • Origin: Formalised at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit (UNCED) as Principle 7 of the Rio Declaration; draws on earlier concepts of equity in international law; "differentiated" from Latin differentia ("distinction").

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

  • Pronunciation: /ˈnæʃ.ən.əl.i dɪˈtɜːr.mɪnd ˌkɒn.trɪˈbjuː.ʃənz/
  • Definition: Self-defined climate action plans submitted by each party to the Paris Agreement, outlining their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change — updated every five years with a ratchet mechanism requiring progressively higher ambition.
  • Origin: Concept introduced in the lead-up to COP21 Paris (2015) as "Intended Nationally Determined Contributions" (INDCs); upon ratification of the Paris Agreement, they became NDCs; the "nationally determined" language reflects the bottom-up nature of the Paris regime (as opposed to the top-down Kyoto Protocol).

Global Commons

  • Pronunciation: /ˈɡləʊ.bəl ˈkɒm.ənz/
  • Definition: Resource domains that lie outside the political jurisdiction of any single nation-state and are shared by all humanity — including the high seas, Antarctica, outer space, and the atmosphere — whose governance requires multilateral cooperation to prevent overexploitation (the "tragedy of the commons").
  • Origin: The concept of "commons" derives from English common law (shared grazing lands); "tragedy of the commons" coined by ecologist Garrett Hardin in 1968; "global commons" applied to international shared resources from the 1970s onward.

Key Terms

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

  • Pronunciation: /ˌɪn.təˈnæʃ.ən.əl ˈsəʊ.lər əˈlaɪ.əns/
  • Definition: A treaty-based international organisation of 120 member and signatory countries, co-founded by India and France at COP21 Paris on 30 November 2015, headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, with the objective of promoting solar energy deployment, mobilising investment ($1 trillion target by 2030), reducing technology costs, and building capacity in solar-resource-rich countries.
  • Context: Became a treaty-based organisation in December 2017; India is president, France is co-president (2024--2026); key initiative: One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) — a global interconnected solar energy grid.
  • UPSC Relevance: GS2 (International Relations) and GS3 (Environment). Prelims: founding date (November 2015, COP21), co-founders (India and France), HQ (Gurugram, Haryana), membership (~120 countries). Mains: evaluate ISA's effectiveness in promoting solar energy in developing countries; assess India's leadership in global renewable energy governance.

Panchamrit

  • Pronunciation: /ˈpʌn.tʃɑːm.rɪt/
  • Definition: The five climate action pledges announced by PM Modi at COP26 Glasgow in November 2021, comprising: (1) 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, (2) 50% energy from renewables by 2030, (3) reduce total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030, (4) reduce carbon intensity of GDP by 45% over 2005 levels by 2030, and (5) achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
  • Context: "Panchamrit" means "five nectars" in Sanskrit — derived from the five sacred ingredients (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar) offered in Hindu rituals; these pledges were formally incorporated into India's updated NDC in August 2022.
  • UPSC Relevance: GS2 (International Relations) and GS3 (Environment). Prelims: all five targets are frequently tested — memorise the specific numbers (500 GW, 50%, 1 billion tonnes, 45%, 2070). Mains: evaluate whether India's Panchamrit pledges are achievable and sufficient; compare India's net-zero target (2070) with other major emitters.

Sources: UNFCCC — Paris Agreement, COP26--COP29 Decision Texts, PIB — India's NDC Updates, ISA Official Website (isolaralliance.org), CDRI Official Website (cdri.world), IPCC AR6 (2021--2023), World Bank — Loss and Damage Fund, European Commission — CBAM Regulation, UN — BBNJ Agreement (un.org/bbnjagreement), WRI — COP28 and COP29 Outcomes