PM Modi Highlights Climate Inequality, Calls for Greater Fairness in Global Climate Action
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought renewed attention to the issue of climate inequality, arguing that developing countries should not be held disproportionately responsible for a global problem shaped by different levels of historical emissions, consumption and economic development.
Speaking at the International Conference on “The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics” in New Delhi, Modiji highlighted the difference between India’s per-capita emissions and those of developed economies. He said India’s per-capita carbon emissions remain below the global average, while emissions per person in several developed countries are considerably higher. The remarks underline India’s long-standing position that climate action should take into account both environmental responsibility and the development needs of emerging economies.
The principle of equity is also reflected in the international climate framework. The Paris Agreement recognises the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, acknowledging that countries have different national circumstances and capacities when addressing climate change.
India’s Rapid Expansion of Renewable Energy
Alongside the discussion on climate responsibility, Modiji highlighted India’s progress in expanding renewable energy. Solar power has emerged as one of the country's fastest-growing sources of electricity, with installed capacity increasing dramatically over the past decade.
Government data shows that India’s non-fossil electricity capacity has crossed the halfway mark of its total installed power capacity. Solar and wind power, together with hydropower and nuclear energy, are playing an increasingly important role in the country's changing energy mix.
Programmes such as PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM have also encouraged greater use of solar energy among households, farmers and other users. The expansion of renewable infrastructure is aimed at increasing clean-energy availability while supporting India's growing electricity requirements.
Progress Towards Climate Commitments
India has also pointed to progress in meeting several of its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. According to government data, the country's emissions intensity of GDP has fallen significantly compared with 2005 levels, while the share of non-fossil sources in installed electricity capacity has continued to rise.
India has simultaneously expanded efforts in areas such as energy efficiency, green hydrogen, electric mobility, biofuels and sustainable infrastructure. These initiatives reflect an attempt to reduce the emissions intensity of economic growth while continuing to expand energy access and industrial capacity.
The transition remains particularly significant for India because the country has substantial future energy requirements as urbanisation, manufacturing and infrastructure development continue to expand.
Electric Mobility and Cleaner Transport
The growth of electric mobility is another important component of India's environmental transition. Modiji highlighted the substantial increase in electric vehicles over the past decade, reflecting growing investment in cleaner transportation technologies.
India is also developing alternative transportation networks, including inland waterways, while exploring technologies such as green hydrogen. Such developments are intended to diversify the country's transport system and create additional pathways for reducing dependence on conventional fossil-fuel-based transportation.
The transition to cleaner mobility, however, will depend not only on vehicle adoption but also on charging infrastructure, battery manufacturing, electricity generation and the availability of affordable clean power.
Climate Finance and the Developing World
Climate finance remains one of the most important issues in negotiations between developed and developing countries. Developing economies argue that achieving ambitious climate targets requires access to affordable finance, advanced technology and greater international cooperation.
The Paris Agreement and the UN climate framework recognise the importance of financial and technological support for developing countries. For economies still expanding basic infrastructure and improving living standards, the challenge is to pursue climate action without limiting opportunities for sustainable economic development. India has therefore continued to emphasise that global climate policies should combine emissions reduction with questions of equity, development and access to technology.
India’s International Climate Initiatives
India has also promoted several international initiatives focused on renewable energy, climate resilience and sustainable development. These include the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuel Alliance.
Through such platforms, India has sought greater international cooperation in areas ranging from solar energy and disaster preparedness to alternative fuels. The approach places emphasis on sharing technology, building resilient infrastructure and creating practical solutions that can be adopted by developing countries.
These efforts also reflect the broader shift in global climate policy from focusing solely on emissions reduction towards addressing adaptation, resilience, energy access and sustainable development.
Balancing Growth and Environmental Responsibility
The central challenge for India is to maintain economic growth while gradually reducing the emissions intensity of development. With a large population and expanding industrial and energy requirements, the country's climate strategy must operate alongside efforts to improve infrastructure, create employment and raise living standards.
India's expanding renewable-energy capacity and increasing share of non-fossil electricity demonstrate the scale of the ongoing transition. At the same time, the country continues to argue that international climate action must recognise differences in historical responsibility, per-capita emissions and developmental circumstances.
The MGMM Outlook
The article highlights India’s emphasis on climate equity and fairness in global climate action, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressing that countries have different historical emissions, per-capita emissions and developmental needs. India’s position focuses on balancing environmental responsibility with continued economic development, while seeking greater access to climate finance, technology and international cooperation for developing economies.
India’s growing renewable-energy capacity, electric mobility, green hydrogen, biofuels and climate-resilient infrastructure demonstrate its efforts toward a cleaner and more sustainable development pathway. Through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance, India is also contributing to international climate cooperation while maintaining that global climate action should recognise different national circumstances and support sustainable growth in developing countries.
(Sources: Hindustan Times, Financial Express, The New Indian Express)
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