India’s emergence as a global leader in advocating climate justice is one of the most defining narratives in international climate diplomacy today. As the world stands at the crossroads of environmental catastrophe and policy inertia, India has taken a moral and practical stance, insisting that climate action must be fair, inclusive, and rooted in historical responsibility. This vision of justice has been consistently echoed in India’s domestic initiatives and global engagements, setting the tone for a more equitable and sustainable future.
At the heart of India’s climate diplomacy lies the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities,” a foundational concept of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). India has persistently argued that developed nations, which bear the historical burden of greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial revolution, must shoulder greater responsibility in addressing the climate crisis. While developed nations account for more than 70 per cent of cumulative emissions, countries like India are still striving to lift millions out of poverty and meet essential developmental goals. Thus, for India, climate justice means enabling development while addressing ecological concerns, without compromising the rights of the poor and the vulnerable.
India’s leadership in climate justice is reflected in its ambitious and measurable commitments. Under the Paris Agreement, India pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33–35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels, ensure that 40 per cent of its power capacity comes from non-fossil fuel sources, and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO₂ through afforestation. Remarkably, India has already surpassed its 40 per cent non-fossil fuel target years ahead of schedule. In fact, as of 2025, India has installed over 180 GW of renewable energy capacity—ranking among the top four countries globally in terms of solar and wind energy deployment. These achievements stand as a testament to India’s commitment to sustainable development even while navigating complex socio-economic challenges.
India’s announcement of its net zero goal by 2070 during the COP26 summit in Glasgow marked another major contribution to global climate action. Unlike many developed countries that have already achieved high levels of industrialisation, India’s net zero target balances environmental responsibility with the right to development. The “Panchamrit” strategy, laid out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comprising five elements, including achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 and reducing total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes, serves as a comprehensive roadmap toward green growth. This plan reflects India’s ability to lead by example, not only through ambition but also through practical execution.
Beyond policy targets, India has been a pioneer in launching global coalitions for sustainable energy. The International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded by India and France, is a shining example of India’s proactive climate diplomacy. Headquartered in Gurugram, ISA aims to promote solar energy deployment in over 120 tropical countries, facilitating affordable finance and technology transfer. Through this platform, India is helping build solar capacities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America—empowering the Global South with clean energy solutions. Similarly, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), initiated by India, brings together countries and organisations to promote climate-resilient infrastructure, especially in disaster-prone regions.
India has also advocated climate justice by integrating sustainability deeply into its development strategy. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), launched in 2008, comprises eight national missions that address issues ranging from solar energy and sustainable agriculture to water conservation and energy efficiency. In rural areas, the PM-KUSUM scheme is enabling farmers to use solar-powered irrigation, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and ensuring energy access. In urban centres, policies such as the FAME scheme are accelerating the transition to electric vehicles. These initiatives collectively contribute to lowering emissions while promoting inclusive growth, capturing the essence of India’s climate justice framework.
A defining feature of India’s climate justice advocacy is its insistence on balancing ecological stewardship with the imperatives of economic development and poverty eradication. The Indian position recognises that climate change disproportionately affects the poor and marginalised—those who contribute the least to global emissions but suffer the most from its consequences. This ethical dimension was evident in India’s interventions at the BRICS 2025 Summit, where Prime Minister Modi reiterated that climate finance should be a legal and moral obligation of the developed world. He argued that expecting developing countries to undertake deep decarbonisation without financial and technological support is tantamount to climate colonialism—a term increasingly used to describe global disparities in climate burden-sharing.
India’s vision of climate justice is not limited to emissions targets or disaster response. It is a comprehensive philosophy rooted in lifestyle, consumption, and ethics. The LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement, launched by Prime Minister Modi at COP26, advocates for mindful and sustainable living. Inspired by India’s traditional ethos of harmony with nature, LiFE encourages individuals to adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily lives, ranging from reducing plastic use to conserving water and energy. This people-centric approach to climate action adds a cultural and behavioural dimension to India’s environmental leadership, making it distinct from technology-heavy, capital-intensive models pursued by the West.
India’s G20 presidency in 2023 further amplified its climate justice narrative. Under the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” India successfully built consensus around tripling global renewable energy capacity, reforming climate finance, and promoting sustainable lifestyles. The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration prominently reflected India’s push for developed nations to fulfil their climate finance pledges of $100 billion annually and enhance support for adaptation. The launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance, aimed at advancing sustainable energy alternatives, also bore India’s imprint and further consolidated its leadership in driving practical, scalable, and inclusive climate solutions.
At the helm is India’s climate diplomacy is the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” a cornerstone of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This doctrine asserts that while all countries must contribute to climate action, the burden should not fall equally on developed and developing nations. India has argued, with increasing resonance, that nations historically responsible for greenhouse gas emissions must take the lead in reducing their carbon footprints, financing climate transitions in the developing world, and facilitating access to green technologies. This argument is grounded in facts: developed countries account for over 70 per cent of cumulative carbon emissions since the Industrial Revolution, while developing nations like India are still working to meet basic developmental goals for large segments of their populations.
What distinguishes India’s approach to climate justice is its consistent emphasis on moral leadership without veering into antagonism. India does not frame climate justice as a confrontation between the North and the South but as a shared responsibility for humanity’s future. While holding the developed world accountable, it also offers constructive solutions, whether through renewable energy partnerships, low-cost green technologies, or cross-border capacity-building. In doing so, India presents itself not just as a voice for the vulnerable but as an enabler of global climate resilience.
India’s achievements in climate action are significant not just for their scale but for their intention. From exceeding renewable energy targets and launching global alliances to mainstreaming sustainable lifestyles and advocating fair climate finance, India has built a multi-dimensional framework for climate justice. It leads not by imposing rules but by inspiring change, offering models that are aspirational yet achievable, grounded in equity yet ambitious in scale.
As the global climate crisis intensifies, the need for justice—economic, environmental, and generational—becomes ever more critical. In this transformative era, India’s vision offers a pathway grounded in balance, compassion, and responsibility. Through its actions and ideas, India is not merely contributing to climate solutions; it is reshaping the global discourse itself. By placing justice at the centre of climate policy, India is laying the foundation for a future where sustainability is not a privilege but a universal right.
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