India’s Position on Climate Change

Context

Recently the government of India articulated a radically different position on climate change (at a time when it is becoming increasingly clear that the 1.5℃ target would be missed) in the Economic Survey (ES) 2023-24 presented in the Parliament.

Global Temperature Target

• According to the 2015 Paris Agreement, nations have to make efforts to ensure that the rise in global average annual temperature is contained –
  • Within 2℃ from the pre-industrial times (average of 1850-1900 period), and
  • Preferably within 1.5℃.
• Every country has to prepare and put into effect an motion plan that contributes toward attaining this goal.

Why is India Challenging Global Climate Change Discourse?

• Inequity of the global climate change architecture: India has continually criticised the inequity of the global climate change structure and the indifference of evolved countries in their climate efforts.
• A single global temperature (1.5 or 2℃ thresholds) target: The global temperature goal fails to mirror the difficult connections between climate, ecological integrity, and human well-being.
• Alternate energy solutions had their personal set of problems: For instance, critical minerals (required for batteries) have been mined within the maximum underdeveloped components of the world, adversely affecting nearby ecological health.

Suggestions within the Economic Survey for the Climate Problem

• A more sustainable approach to addressing the climate hassle would involve changing way of life picks and minimising waste and overconsumption in place of switching to an alternate energy supply.
• A more balanced method indicates that the satisfactory coverage towards climate change is to put into effect short-term rules aimed toward enhancing people’s quality of life.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

• These are price lists so that it will practice on energy-intensive goods imported into the EU.
• Its goal is to ensure that
  • Local producers of iron, steel, and aluminium (which use a significant quantity of fossil fuel) do not face a competitive downside whilst as compared to
  • Producers of similar goods made in developing countries whose industries have extra lenient emission standards for fossil fuels.
• The CBAM system is predicted to come into pressure on January 1, 2026.

Why India Criticises CBAM?

• • CBAM is in contravention to the Paris Agreement: These taxes are in contravention to the spirit of the Paris Agreement that regards average but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).

• • India is adversely suffering from CBAM:

• • • In 2022, 27% of India’s exports of iron, metal and aluminium merchandise worth $8.2 billion went to the EU.
    • To achieve net zero by 2070, India needs $28 billion yearly till that year.
    • India’s climate motion has been in large part financed through home resources and the glide of global finance has been very restrained.
    • Hence, CBAM will affect India’s financial resources for the climate change model.

Source: The Indian Express