The Shape Of Climate Justice In A Warming India

Relevance: GS3 - Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

(Source: The Hindu, 10/20/2023)

Why in the news?

• This article discusses the need for a climate justice approach that recognizes the disproportionate and unequal effect of climate change across the country.

What are the key normative ideas of climate justice?

• Any energy transition initiative must be based on two normative ideals:
• Those who emit greenhouse gases should pay the social and environmental costs.
• Those who are harmed must be paid appropriate compensation.
• Generally, those who contribute to climate change are not the ones who are affected by it.
• Therefore mitigation efforts must make richer countries or richer classes within a country pay for the energy transition in order to ensure climate justice.

Impact of climate change on the poor

• Climate change and energy transition directly and disproportionately impact the poor.

• Climate change and its resultant effects have worsened the economic crisis in agriculture and allied activities.
  • Variations in rainfall, temperature, and the increasing frequency of extreme climatic events adversely impact agricultural productivity and the loss in income suffered by farmers.
  • The rise in ocean ecosystem temperature has led to a significant decline in marine stocks across the country, which has impacted the fishing communities residing in India.

Link between inequality and carbon emissions

• Inequality and carbon emissions are connected, therefore sustainable and equitable development requires that both environmental and socio-economic inequalities be addressed.
• Societies with a higher level of inequality are observed to have higher emission outputs per unit of economic activity.
• However, societal responses like public action and state capacity which are necessary to address climate change have been found to be impacted when inequality is higher in society.
• A higher cost of carbon emissions in terms of their societal impact can also be observed in such societies.
• The inequalities in India’s economic structure will impact India’s efforts for just climate action while India’s energy transition policies will in turn affect the livelihoods of the poor and exacerbate existing class, caste, and regional disparities.
• Therefore, it is necessary to recognize and mitigate the barriers posed by inequalities in ensuring effective climate action.

Greening Development

• India aims to transition to clean energy as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), with a target of 40% clean energy in total installed power generation capacity and a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
• However, the government and other stakeholders should ensure that the transition does not exacerbate existing inequalities.
• India is still heavily reliant on coal and energy-intensive manufacturing processes, so increases in energy prices could impact manufacturing, which is vital for India's economic growth.
  • As of 2021, coal contributed 56.1% of the total energy supply in India followed by crude oil (33.4%).
  • The industrial sector consumes 51% of the total final energy consumption followed by the transport (11%), residential (10%), and agriculture (3.6%) sectors.

Just and equitable transition

• Manufacturing in India is far more energy- and carbon-intensive than agriculture and services.
• A just transition must consist of a holistic approach based on economic, social, and regional inequalities.
• Coal-production-dependent regions face crises of pollution, poverty, and low-quality employment.
  • Therefore, a just renewable energy transition must protect livelihoods, offer alternative employment opportunities, and ensure that vulnerable communities are not adversely impacted.
• The Paris Agreement (2015) has emphasized the need for a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs per nationally defined development priorities.
• However, renewable energy creates different job opportunities and skill requirements compared to fossil fuel industries, potentially affecting disadvantaged groups who are employed by PSUs in the fossil fuel industry.
• The generational mobility of the disadvantaged groups could be impacted by the renewable energy transition, therefore inequality reduction and green investment must be focussed on.

Federalism-based approach to climate action

• Sub-national governments play a significant role in addressing climate concerns in India’s Federal structure.
• State governments implement climate policies related to climate justice, climate adaptation, and disaster management prescribed by the Union government, even if they are not in line with their individual development aspirations.
• Regional inequalities correlate with energy source disparities. Coal is located in poorer regions, while renewable energy hubs are in wealthier regions.
• India's energy transition strategy should pay attention to regional inequalities, transferring funds to coal-dependent states and creating state-specific programs for reskilling and local rehabilitation.
  • The coal sector is the major source of revenue via taxes, royalties, mining fees, and employment for governments in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.

Conclusion

• Addressing climate inequality in India's energy transition is crucial for sustainable and equitable development.
• Balancing economic growth and climate concerns, promoting just transitions, and considering regional disparities are essential steps toward a more sustainable and just future.

FAQs

MCQs

Question: In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-smart Agriculture, consider the following statements :

1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is part of a project led by Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research program.
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centers.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1,2 and 3

Question: Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2023)

Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change

Statement-II: Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the State.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Question: Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a: (UPSC CSE 2021)

1. Database created by a coalition of research organizations
2. Wing of “International Panel of Climate Change”
3. Committee under “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”
4. Agency promoted and financed by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Bank