Carbon Emission Responsibility- India Highlights Low Per-Capita Emissions

Prime Minister Modi addressed the National Green Tribunal. At the NGT International Conference on The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the difference in per-capita carbon emissions between India and developed countries.

Context

• The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, addressed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) International Conference on The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics.
• He highlighted the gap in per-capita carbon emissions between India and developed countries and outlined India's progress in renewable energy and clean mobility.

India and Global Carbon Emissions

• Per-capita emissions
  • India's per-capita carbon emissions are less than half the global average.
  • Per-capita carbon emissions in developed countries are six times higher than India's.
  • PM Modi highlighted that the responsibility for carbon emissions is often placed on developing countries, despite differences in per-capita emissions.
• India's climate approach
  • India is expanding its non-fossil fuel energy capacity while continuing its development process.
  • PM Modi stated that India was the only G20 country to have fulfilled its COP21 Paris climate commitments ahead of schedule.

India's Progress in Renewable Energy

• Solar energy
  • Solar energy capacity increased from 2 GW in 2012 to 160 GW currently.
  • India is also expanding wind and hydropower capacity.
• KUSUM Yojana
  • Around 30 lakh farmers have received solar pumps under the scheme.
• One Nation One Grid
  • The completed project has, according to PM Modi, helped prevent around 200 million tonnes of carbon emissions.
• Solar-powered homes
  • India has started a mission to make homes centres of solar power generation.

Clean Mobility and Transport

• Electric Vehicles
  • EV sales increased from around 3,000 in 2014 to 25 lakh in 2025.
  • The expansion of EVs is being linked with India's efforts towards cleaner mobility.
• Metro Rail
  • Before 2014:
    • Metro networks existed in 5 cities.
    • The total network was less than 250 km.
  • Currently:
    • India has 1,000+ km of metro network.
    • It covers 20 cities.
• Railways and freight transport
  • 100% railway electrification has been achieved.
  • Inland waterways have expanded.
  • Around 3,000 km of Dedicated Freight Corridor has been completed.
  • These measures are aimed at reducing fuel consumption.

Nuclear Energy

• India is also rapidly expanding nuclear energy generation.
• PM Modi highlighted the opposition faced by some government nuclear initiatives through court cases.
• This reflects the wider challenge of balancing clean-energy expansion with environmental concerns.

India's Global Environmental Initiatives

India has promoted international cooperation through:

• International Solar Alliance (ISA)
  • Focus: Promotion of solar energy.
• Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA)
  • Focus: Cooperation in biofuels.
• International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
  • Focus: Big-cat conservation and biodiversity protection.

Climate Justice and Developing Countries

• The discussion highlights the importance of equity and climate responsibility.
• Key issues include:
  • Differences in per-capita emissions.
  • Development needs of developing countries.
  • Climate impacts faced by vulnerable countries.
  • Support through the loss and damage fund under the UN climate framework.

Role of Judiciary in Environmental Governance

The CJI Surya Kant highlighted the changing approach of courts towards environmental issues:

• The debate is no longer simply:
  • Conservation vs Development
• Instead, the focus should be on:
  • Harmonising conservation and development.
  • Making development sustainable.
• He also highlighted the shift from:
  • Environmental rights
  • Towards climate-related rights.
• He emphasised that the environment is closely connected with human well-being.

NGT and Sustainable Development

• The conference brought together major constitutional and environmental institutions, including:
  • Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
  • Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav
  • Attorney General R. Venkataramani
  • NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava
• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stated that the real choice is not:
  • Development vs Environment
  • but Sustainable Development vs Unsustainable Development.

Biodiversity Conservation

India's environmental efforts also include protection of wildlife species such as:

• Tigers
• Elephants
• Lions
• Great Indian Bustard
• Vultures

Conclusion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the National Green Tribunal. At the NGT International Conference on The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the difference in per-capita carbon emissions between India and developed countries. He said India’s per-capita emissions are less than half the global average, while per-capita emissions in developed countries can be much higher. India also highlighted its progress in renewable energy and clean mobility. According to the Prime Minister, India’s solar capacity has increased from about 2 GW to more than 160 GW over the last 12 years. Around 30 lakh farmers have received solar pumps under PM-KUSUM, while more than 50 lakh homes have been solarised under PM Surya Ghar. The discussion also focused on climate justice, especially the different development needs of developed and developing countries. CJI Surya Kant and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stressed the need to balance environmental protection with development through sustainable development.