India calls for a paradigm shift with a focus on per capita emissions

India advocates recalibrating climate dialogue to prioritise per capita emissions, underscores equity, and celebrates emission reduction progress.

The Indian government has called for a significant change in the way global discussions about climate change are framed. R.K. Singh, the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and Power, further urged the international community to shift its focus from total emissions to the per capita emissions of each country.

Looking at India’s per capita emissions, which are a mere one-third of the global average, Singh underscored the disparity in expectations placed on different nations. Despite India’s relatively low emissions, developed countries have been exerting pressure on nations like India to reduce emissions, despite having per capita emissions three to four times higher than the global average. Furthermore, the yardstick for comparison should be per capita emissions, as merely evaluating total emissions can lead to skewed perceptions.

We need a change in disclosure, and to take this up, Singh seeks the intervention of institutions like TERI to work on it. This change in perspective is crucial, not just for global leaders but for individuals around the world, particularly in developed countries.

Paying tribute to TERI’s founder, the late Shri Darbari Seth, Singh commended the institute for its significant contribution to sustainable development and environmental research. He urged TERI to champion this revised perspective on climate change, leading by example in fostering a more equitable global conversation.

The government is presently celebrating India’s remarkable achievements in reducing carbon emissions, as India has exceeded its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target by sourcing 43 percent of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources, surpassing the initial goal of 40 percent. Additionally, India’s overachievement in reducing emissions intensity by 33 percent by 2022 is ahead of the 2030 target set during COP-21.

India aims to generate 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources and reduce emissions intensity by 45 percent by 2030, a commitment he expressed confidence in fulfilling well before the deadline.

Drawing attention to the divergence between emissions trajectories in developed and developing countries, Singh emphasised that the onus of emission reduction cannot be equal across the board. As developed nations reach emissions peaks, developing nations will see increased emissions due to growing infrastructure demands. We also need to address the importance of providing developing countries with the space needed for their growth.

The lecture also featured Siddharth Sharma, CEO of Tata Trusts, who hailed Darbari Seth’s visionary leadership in addressing energy conservation and environmental sustainability well before they became mainstream concerns. Sharma praised TERI’s evolution from its modest beginnings to a global hub for sustainable development and environmental research.

Sharma lauded the Tata Group’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2045, built on the pillars of decarbonisation, circular economies, and biodiversity preservation. He emphasised the imperative of cross-sectoral collaboration among academia, civil society, the private sector, and the government, stressing that the collective efforts of citizens are crucial in driving transformative change.

The 22nd Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture commemorated Shri Darbari Seth’s legacy and recognised TERI employees for their service. The event resonated with a call for a paradigm shift in climate change discourse, echoing the government’s plea for a more equitable and inclusive approach to addressing this global challenge.