The recent affirmation by the Supreme Court of India, a significant legal authority, confirms that every individual has the right to life, liberty, and equality, including protection from the adverse impacts of climate change. This legal backing strengthens the case for immediate action and policy changes to address climate change impacts in India.
However, despite India’s pledge to become net zero by 2070, the country’s youth, armed with their resilience and determination, will continue to face the severe impacts of climate change. India has set targets for 2030 to combat climate change, such as cutting emissions, generating half its electricity from renewable sources, and increasing tree cover.
The country has also introduced the Green Credit and Carbon Credit programmes. These initiatives are a testament to the recognition and value placed on individuals and entities who take voluntary environmental actions. Under the Green Credit programme, individuals and entities earn credits for actions that reduce their carbon footprint, while the Carbon Credit programme allows them to trade these credits, thereby incentivising and promoting environmental actions.
While these policies and programs look promising, their effectiveness will only be known as the country faces heatwaves, floods, droughts, and other climate change impacts. The urgency of the situation, which demands immediate action, cannot be overstated.
A look at BJP and Congress party’s promises for India
The BJP’s Mausam initiative, a comprehensive climate resilience plan, aims to make India weather-ready and climate-smart. This initiative includes [specific measures such as early warning systems, infrastructure development, and community engagement]. However, it can only succeed if the country invests more in climate literacy and public support, emphasising the need for immediate action and policy changes.
Meanwhile, the Congress party has proposed an independent agency to monitor and enforce environmental action at the central and state levels, prioritising climate resilience and green funds.
What should they focus on first?
However, it is essential to focus not only on adaptation and resilience but also on mitigation, as GHG emissions accumulation will worsen climate change impacts in the future.
India must prioritise green skills development, a term that refers to the acquisition of skills and knowledge that enable individuals to contribute to environmental sustainability.
Climate literacy is crucial for green skilling. The existing education system needs fixing, ensuring that the students and entrepreneurs who acquire skills through certifications and courses have access to decent employment opportunities. This emphasis on green skills development is a key strategy for climate resilience and mitigation, highlighting the need for immediate action and policy changes.
The government must also encourage entrepreneurship that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and makes funding more accessible and easier to obtain.
Pollution is not solely the responsibility of individuals; corporations and multinational companies have also contributed significantly. Therefore, we need more stringent policies to hold them accountable for their actions, such as climate disclosures, decarbonisation, and remediation for displacing and poisoning various rural communities in India. It’s time for corporate accountability to take centre stage.
However, imposing additional taxes (like carbon taxes) or increasing commodity prices (like ridiculous electricity charges) on citizens to enforce specific rules would be counterproductive. Instead, the government should push for corporate accountability and prioritise sustainable policies to ensure a better future for India and the world.
Credits
The post is written by Deepa Sai