As a plane fly over the vast expanse of India, from the tech hub of Bangalore to the towering Himalayas, a stark reality emerges: India is a country in constant convulsion, grappling with the relentless onslaught of climate change. The monsoon rains submerge Bangalore’s swish houses and gleaming towers, while record-breaking fires ravage Karnataka’s forests. In Mumbai, the humid air turns deadly, claiming lives at a public gathering, while Delhi finds itself underwater from flooding. Even the anticipated snowfall in the Himalayas fails to materialize, signaling a troubling trend of increasingly erratic weather patterns.
India’s struggle with climate change extends far beyond its borders. As the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases and the fastest-growing major economy, India’s actions reverberate globally. When India imposes wheat export bans due to a heatwave or slows its IT exports due to flooding, the impact is felt worldwide.
Despite these pressing issues, climate change has not emerged as a central issue in India’s national elections. Unlike in other countries where elections are significantly influenced by climate policies, India’s approach to climate politics is nuanced. While climate impacts shape voter demands, they often manifest as concerns about livelihoods and welfare support rather than explicit climate policy demands.
India’s low per-capita carbon emissions and rapid economic growth create a unique challenge for climate policy. The government has prioritized rapid deployment of renewables and green manufacturing to create jobs while continuing to rely on fossil fuels. Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party have included climate-related pledges in their manifestos, but these are often scattered across various sectors and rarely mention the word “climate.”
In India, climate change is often viewed through the lens of development and livelihoods. Farmers protesting against agricultural debt and declining productivity are, in essence, protesting against the impacts of climate change. Similarly, individuals affected by climate-related events prioritize immediate needs such as access to water, electricity, and healthcare.
The challenge for India lies in bridging the gap between short-term developmental goals and long-term climate resilience. Ad hoc policy fixes are insufficient in the face of long-term climate challenges. A genuine public debate and immediate investments are needed to prepare India for a climate-ravaged future.
Global cooperation is also crucial in addressing the climate crisis. India’s climate impacts will have far-reaching effects on global markets and trading partners. Global adaptation finance must fill the gap left by domestic politics focused on immediate goals.
India’s struggle with climate change is not just a domestic issue—it is an international one. As the country navigates the complexities of climate chaos, the world watches, knowing that India’s response will have implications far beyond its borders.