BharatNotes 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
Recent Developments (2024–2026)
COP29 Baku — NCQG and India's Criticism (November 2024)
COP29 was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11–22 November 2024. The centrepiece outcome was the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance — developed countries pledged to mobilise at least USD 300 billion per year by 2035 for developing countries. However, India strongly criticised this figure as "abysmally poor" and an "optical illusion," calling it far short of the USD 1 trillion per year that developing nations had demanded based on independent expert estimates. India's Environment Minister described the agreement as reflecting the "unwillingness of developed countries to engage seriously" on climate finance.
India's key positions at COP29: push for NCQG of at least USD 1 trillion per year; removal of IPR barriers on green technologies for developing countries; application of CBDR in mitigation work programmes; and ensuring private finance is additional to, not substituted for, public finance.
UPSC angle: COP29 (Baku, November 2024), NCQG (USD 300 billion/year, 2035), India's criticism ("optical illusion"), and India's advocacy for USD 1 trillion climate finance are high-priority current affairs topics. The NCQG replaces the previous USD 100 billion per year goal (from Copenhagen 2009).
India's Climate Targets — NDC Update and 2030 Progress
India submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in August 2022, targeting: 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 (from 2005 levels); 50% of cumulative electric power from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources by 2030; and creation of an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through forest and tree cover. As of 2024, India has achieved 44.5% of its electricity from non-fossil sources (RE + nuclear + hydro), ahead of the 2030 target trajectory. India has also pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
UPSC angle: India's NDC targets — 45% emissions intensity reduction, 50% non-fossil power by 2030, net-zero by 2070 — are essential Prelims and Mains facts. India achieving 44.5% non-fossil electricity share by 2024 is important data.
High Seas Treaty — India's Ratification Status
The UN High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) was adopted in June 2023 and entered into force on 17 January 2026, after reaching the required 60 ratifications on 19 September 2025 (Sierra Leone and Morocco were the 60th and 61st ratifying states). The treaty governs conservation of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (the "high seas"), covering approximately 64% of the ocean surface. India signed the treaty and is working towards ratification.
UPSC angle: BBNJ Agreement/High Seas Treaty — adopted June 2023, 60 ratifications reached 19 September 2025, entered into force 17 January 2026; covers high seas biodiversity; India's signature and pending ratification. This is a "common heritage of mankind" principle application.
India and CBAM — EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Challenge
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) — entering into full effect from 2026 — will impose a carbon price on imports of certain carbon-intensive goods (steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen) from countries without equivalent carbon pricing. India, a major exporter of steel and aluminium to the EU, has challenged CBAM as a trade barrier inconsistent with WTO rules and CBDR principles. India argues CBAM imposes the EU's carbon accounting methodology on developing countries and discriminates against lower-income exporters.
UPSC angle: EU CBAM (full enforcement 2026), India's opposition (WTO inconsistency, CBDR violation), affected sectors (steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers) — critical for both GS-II (climate diplomacy) and GS-III (trade policy, Indian industry).
India's Renewable Energy Progress — Solar and Wind (2024)
India's installed renewable energy capacity reached approximately 200 GW by December 2024 (solar: ~90 GW, wind: ~46 GW, hydro: ~47 GW, others). India is on track to meet its 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030. India's solar manufacturing capacity expanded significantly under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar PV modules. India also launched the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Scheme, February 2024) for rooftop solar for 10 million households.
UPSC angle: India's RE capacity milestone (200 GW by December 2024, solar ~90 GW), 500 GW target by 2030, PLI for solar, and PM Surya Ghar Scheme are important GS-III energy and GS-II climate diplomacy data points.
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
