GREEN GROWTH: A PATHWAY TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The Earth is rapidly heating up, with temperatures rising by 1.1 degrees Celsius since the early 1900s as a result of climate change. This trend is concerning, as scientists at NASA have noted that the planet is losing its coolness as the years become warmer. A recent report, entitled “Climate policy, protests, and the Ukraine crisis,” suggests that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is currently not possible. The researchers conducted a systematic assessment of social changes that are already underway and analyzed physical processes frequently discussed as tipping points. They concluded that social change is essential to meeting the temperature goals set in Paris, but what has been achieved so far is not enough. As a result, they recommend that climate adaptation be approached from a new angle.
India is playing a key role in addressing climate change, with the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, stating that the country is doing more than its fair share to tackle the issue. Despite India being home to more than 17% of the world’s population, it has contributed only 4% of the world’s cumulative greenhouse gas emissions from 1850 to 2019. The challenges posed by global warming are mainly the result of cumulative historical and current emissions from developed countries. India is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. Under the Paris Agreement in 2015, India submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution, balancing its concerns for climate change with its priorities for sustainable development, poverty eradication, and economic growth. In August 2022, India updated its NDC, pledging to reduce emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 and achieve 50% of its electric power from non-fossil fuel sources by the same year. Additionally, in November 2022, India submitted its Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy, which focuses on seven key transitions to low-carbon development pathways, including promoting adaptation in urban design and energy efficiency in buildings.
The latest 2023-24 Union Budget reaffirms the government’s commitment to green growth and combating climate change, with green growth being one of the seven key priorities. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is investing 35,000 crores towards energy transition, net zero goals, and energy security. The budget also includes the launch of the Green Credit Program, which will encourage behavioral change and raise additional resources for sustainable activities. With these efforts, the government is paving the way for a more sustainable future and it is hoped that they will follow through on their promises and lead India toward a greener tomorrow. Moreover, it is time for individuals, governments, and corporations to take responsibility and make meaningful changes that will have a positive impact on our planet.
