Perspective- Tackling Climate Change | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Challenges in addressing climate change:

• The proposal of the Common but Differentiated Responsibilities principle aimed to tackle climate change by addressing regional disparities. 
• However, the lack of commitment from developed nations has hindered the success of global initiatives, exemplified by the partial success of the Kyoto Protocol.

Developed Countries not taking responsibility:

• Industrialized nations, reluctant to acknowledge historical emissions from the industrial revolution, are unwilling to assume responsibility and are increasingly distancing themselves from global agreements. 
• The rejection of the Paris deal by the USA is a case in point.

Finance:

• The implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures requires substantial funds. 
• For instance, while electric mobility is considered environmentally friendly, the immediate cost per vehicle kilometer is high. 
• Shifting to renewable energy sources poses fiscal challenges for most countries.

Technology:

• Many adaptation and mitigation measures necessitate advanced technologies and Research and Development, creating obstacles for developing and small island nations. 
• The commercialization of technology through patents and evergreening practices has made these technologies unaffordable.

Increasing use of fossil fuels.

• Complex interconnections among emissions, concentrations, climate changes, and impacts, coupled with uncertainties about future climate change details and significant time lags in human response systems, pose challenges. 
• Risk assessments, judgments, and adaptation needs vary across different contexts.

Major initiatives of the Government towards combating climate change:

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Encompassing eight major missions, this plan addresses areas such as solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, Himalayan ecosystem sustainability, green initiatives, sustainable agriculture, and strategic knowledge on climate change.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA)
• State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC): State governments align their climate strategies with the NAPCC, focusing on climate mitigation, energy efficiency, and resource conservation.
• FAME Scheme for E-mobility: Launched to boost eco-friendly vehicle sales, this scheme is part of the National Mission for Electric Mobility.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) for Smart Cities.
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: Providing LPG connections to below-poverty-line beneficiaries, reducing dependence on fossil fuels for cooking.
• UJALA scheme: Aiming to replace incandescent lamps with LED bulbs for energy efficiency.
• Swachh Bharat Mission

A path for India without compromising for Developmental Activities:

• First, that the prospects of effective global action required to address climate change are so weak is extremely bad news for India.
• We are a deeply vulnerable country to climate impacts. It would behove India not to be a status quo player in this context, but to argue for enhanced global collective action.
• Second, India has the potential to show the pathway to accelerating action on climate change even while pursuing its development interests.
• A notable example is its energy efficiency track record, which helps limit greenhouse gases even while saving the nation energy.
• However, there are inconsistencies in India’s story as a climate champion. India is justifiably recognised for promoting renewable energy, yet also muddies the waters by sending mixed signals on future coal use.
• India needs domestic energy policies that are more clearly and coherently tuned to a future low carbon world.
• Third, such a domestic message would position India to be a true global climate leader, rather than a leader only among climate laggards.
• Such an agenda could bring together economic, environmental and political gains.
• The pathway to enhanced action is unlikely to override entrenched national politics, powered by international suasion.
• Instead, the aim should be to make accelerated climate action congruent with an enlightened notion of national interest by focusing on key actions in rapidly changing areas such as energy and urbanisation.
• India can build a diplomatic approach on a firm domestic foundation that takes seriously climate change as a factor in its future development pathway.

Way Forward

• Establish a localized climate risk atlas at the national level.
• Democratize climate data.
• Overcome the 'developing versus developed country' divide and uphold the Common but Differentiated Responsibilities principle.
• Shift from viewing climate change as solely an environmental problem to addressing it as a developmental challenge.
• Invest in research and development to spur innovations in sustainable, climate-friendly productivity.
• Strong political will, meaningful engagements, and sustainable plans are crucial for achieving India's ambitious targets to cut carbon emissions.
• Climate finance can serve as a compelling financial tool to align India's growth with various climate change measures.