PM Modi inaugurates NGT’s climate conference, highlights climate inequality
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, Attorney General R. Venkataramani and NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava attended the inaugural session
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Context
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an international conference on environment and climate change in New Delhi, organized by the . He highlighted global climate inequality, noting that developed nations have six times higher per capita emissions than India, and emphasized India's success in meeting its commitments ahead of schedule. The conference aims to foster dialogue between the judiciary, policymakers, and environmental experts on climate challenges and institutional cooperation.
UPSC Perspectives
Environmental
The Prime Minister's remarks on emissions highlight the core principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) under the . This principle acknowledges that while all nations must address climate change, developed countries hold a greater historical responsibility due to their industrialization, and therefore must take the lead in mitigation and climate finance. India's per capita carbon footprint (around 1.9 tonnes CO2 equivalent) remains significantly lower than the global average and that of developed nations (e.g., the US is over 14 tonnes). India's progress on its (COP 21) targets—specifically its (NDCs)—is a key area for UPSC. India achieved its initial target of 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources well before the 2030 deadline and has since updated its NDCs to 50% by 2030, alongside targeting a reduction in emission intensity of its GDP by 45%. The focus on non-fossil fuels and solar energy capacity (driven by initiatives like the and ) demonstrates a shift towards energy transition. The criticism of environmental litigation delaying nuclear projects touches upon the complex trade-offs between clean energy generation and localized environmental impact assessments.
Polity
The conference highlights the crucial role of Environmental Jurisprudence and institutional mechanisms in India. The , established under the , is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. It replaced the and draws inspiration from (Right to Life, interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to a clean environment). The participation of diverse bodies like and underscores the decentralized framework of environmental governance in India. These bodies are crucial for enforcing laws like the and the . The intersection of the judiciary (Supreme Court, High Courts, NGT) and executive agencies in environmental decision-making is a persistent theme in Governance (GS Paper 2). The PM's comment on litigation stalling nuclear projects points to the ongoing debate between judicial activism in environmental matters and the perceived need for rapid infrastructural and energy development. This necessitates a balanced approach where development and environmental protection are not viewed as mutually exclusive, but rather complementary under the framework of Sustainable Development.
International Relations
India's assertion of climate inequality on global platforms is a strategic diplomatic stance. It reinforces its position as a leader of the Global South, advocating for equitable access to the remaining global carbon budget. By emphasizing historical emissions and the disparities in per capita emissions, India is pushing back against the narrative that developing countries are the primary drivers of current climate crises. This argument is critical in international climate negotiations (like the annual COP meetings) where issues of Climate Finance (the promised but largely unfulfilled $100 billion per year from developed nations) and technology transfer are highly contentious. India's proactive stance in fulfilling its commitments enhances its soft power and credibility in these negotiations, allowing it to demand more robust action and financial commitment from the developed world. The PM's call for every Indian to "forcefully" present this fact indicates an effort to build domestic consensus and project a unified national narrative on climate justice.