The collaboration to mitigate global warming

(Mains GS 3 : Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.)

Context:

• Worsening climate change has been threatening to severely disrupt the stability of global climate, which in turn carries many devastating implications; therefore, the mitigation of global warming is a global public good.

Global commons:

• The concept of ‘global commons’ as it relates to climate change means that global policies and actions are needed to address the anthropogenic factors that cause global warming.
• This shared global responsibility underlies the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which aims to enable states to coordinate their national efforts towards a global common property regime for the atmosphere.
• Limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to mitigate climate change requires transition to a sustainable post-fossil economy by implementing techno-economic, environmental, and energy-efficiency policies, initiatives and programmes.

Globally responsible actor:

• International climate negotiations are important forums for India to use diplomatic leverage in pursuing its foreign policy objectives and strengthening its role as a globally responsible actor.
• While its historical GHG emissions and responsibility for climate change may be low, its current and projected emissions are on a steep rise.
• India has chosen a cooperative strategy to emphasise its responsibility through diplomacy and sustainable energy investments.
• The establishment of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in November 2015 is an example of India’s progressive and cooperative climate engagement.

Model in the renewable energy:

• Ensuring “access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by the year 2030 is enshrined as Goal 7 among the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• India is a model in the renewable energy sector as the country’s path towards a more sustainable energy future, distinguished by the use of renewable sources, offers several lessons.
• The country has over 35 GW of cumulative solar installations, with a target of 100 GW and 300 GW of solar energy capacity by 202 and 2030, respectively.
• Moreover, the country’s installed wind energy capacity stands at 39.2 GW and is projected to increase by another 20 GW in the next five years.

Leading role to play:

• Indo-African relations have consolidated over the years beyond the movement against colonialism and racial discrimination, to increased trade and investment, and scientific and technological cooperation.
• Knowledge and technology transfer is thus a critical part of India-Africa collaboration in energy security as such transfer is critical and urgent for the paradigm shift to happen—from fossil fuel energy sources to renewables.
• Thus, India needs to continuously play a leading role in Africa’s energy security by providing and supporting access to clean energy through renewable energy technologies.

Make positive contributions:

• The ambitious ‘One World, One Sun, One Grid’ initiative of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to the birth of the ISA at the 2015 UN Conference of Parties 21 (COP21) in Paris.
• The aim is to make positive contributions to the common goals of improved energy access, enhanced energy security, and provision of more opportunities for better livelihoods in rural and remote areas.
• The formation of ISA underlined India’s presence as a dominant global force in the challenging politics of climate change.

Conclusion:

• Energy insecurity is a stark problem in many developing countries particularly in the poorer and more vulnerable populations in the rural regions.
• Thus, collaboration on energy is a critical aspect of India–Africa partnership, as India’s investments in sustainable energy development in sub-Saharan Africa through ISA continue to strengthen its influence in the region.