India distanced itself with an agreement at COP28 after its large dependency over Carbon to supply energy to massive population

United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held from 30 November 2023 to 12 December 2023 at Expo city, Dubai. The agreement discussed in final days was to withdraw the use of fossil fuels and replace it with best available science. According to the information posted by Al Jazeera, ‘At least 80 countries are demanding COP28 agreement that calls for an eventual end to the use of fossil fuels, as scientists urge ambitious actions to avert the worst impacts of climate change’. However, India has put its voice loud and clear regarding the agreement. During opening speech of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned, ‘A small section of mankind has exploited nature indiscriminately. But the whole of humanity is paying its price, especially the residents of the global south’ reported by Nature.
The country has refused to sign the agreement concerning decarbonization or emission cut in the health sector but simultaneously it has pledged for renewable energy and a commitment to develop low carbon health systems earlier, at the meeting of G20 group members in August, quoted Nature. India is working towards turning into achieving sustainable development through its commitments and plans about renewable energy and finding alternate options of factors affecting climate crisis, but its domestic manufacturing requires the country to find another working option. Since the country is boosting its domestic manufacturing, infrastructure and trade, Coal is a significant fossil that is required.
Anita Singh, the environmentalist and climate researcher commented on recent development in COP28 and India’s role in all of it. She said, ‘Earlier also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned biased approach towards west countries when it comes to instructing in adapting measures that helps to reduce climate crisis or to have alternate options to the activities harming environment. Which is partly true, because if we look at the statistics, China and United States are the first and second largest emitter of CO2. But during such international assembly of countries, developing countries are targeted because they are still on their way whereas, developed countries who have already done their bit in harming environment generally play safe.’ In addition, she admits that India in coming years could top this list.
India has taken over China this year, as the country with largest population in the world. And the country majorly relies on coal to meet its energy needs. According to the information, 75% of country’s power supply is dependent on coal, and it is going to be a strenuous effort from nation’s side. But Anita told EAT news, country’s important role in driving the complete agreement discussed in COP28. ‘They discussed about the agreement to cut off the use of fossil fuels and depend on alternate solution, which is Science providing. India’s effort in this will change the whole scenario as it brings numbers along with it. The need to switch from fossil fuels to other options is required but is expected from everybody, including India with massive population and needs’, she said.
It is not possible for the country to cut off the use of fossil fuels entirely but it has a vision to achieve it by 2070. Quoted CNBC report, ‘India will not be able to survive completely without coal and there is no alternative for India in the coming 10 to 20 years, said Anil Kumar Jha, former chairman and managing director of Coal India, the world’s largest coal producer. We don’t have an alternative to generate that amount of electricity, and will have to depend on coal.’ Climate change has its drastic effects in past and is still affecting the humankind. Precisely in India, in last five decades the country has experienced over 700 heatwaves, claiming the lives of more than 17,000 people, a report by Clasp.
According to Anita, ‘This is what climate activists and organizations advocating for this crisis are talking about since years. We have been urging to states and leaders to switch to activities and resources that are sustainable. To allot funds and draft policies or strategies that will contribute in reducing the emission of harmful gases. We have reached today at a point, where temperature is rising every year, natural disasters have become frequent, pollution has increased and become harmful than last year, comparatively. There is no excuse to not take any step into this direction.’
While India conveyed its stance over the agreement in COP28 that people of global south are paying price for the exploitation done by the particular section of society, country has increased its strategies in coping with climate crisis. Acknowledged and appreciated for its approach in last few years, country is trying to increase its dependency on renewables but the question is, will the mission of net-zero by 2050 will be achieved with the same speed India is going forward with, to fight climate crisis?