India’s Environmental Strategy in the Global Climate Negotiations

Abstract

Politicization of environment is a unique feature of international politics in the twenty-first century. In the game of environmental politics, rising powers, like India, are playing a very decisive role as they are indispensable factors in achieving a solution of climate crisis. Since the beginning of global environmental politics (GEP), India has been a game changer, sometimes regarded as a deal breaker. India’s environmental negotiation strategies are based on equity, which often successfully derail the global environmental negotiations. From 2006 onwards, at the domestic level, a series of environmental policies were adopted by the Indian government that reflected optimism about resolving the crisis of environment. The policies were mainly focused on energy efficiency. Also, contrary to its long-standing position, in 2009, India voluntarily committed to reduce its carbon emission, which was revised in the form of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) in Paris Agreement in 2015. However, the changes in Indian environmental policies, both at the domestic and international levels, are not sudden, but they are deeply linked with the concerns of India’s energy security. India’s declaration of sunshine alliance at the Paris climate conference is nothing but a giant leap towards transforming India from an energy-dependent country to energy-independent country.