Climate Governance in India: Action, Adaptation and Developmental Challenges

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20579903

Abstract

Climate change is among the most serious concerns facing the twenty-first century, with consequences for environmental sustainability, economic development, food security, water supplies and human livelihoods. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and the third-largest producer of greenhouse emissions. It is a vital player in global climate governance. In this paper, we study the climate governance regime in India, with an emphasis on climate action, adaptation options, and development issues. The report examines important policy measures, such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), the expansion of renewable energy, afforestation activities, sustainable mobility initiatives, and India’s pledges under the Paris Agreement. It also examines India’s push for renewable energy through the International Solar Alliance and several national missions for the sustainable development goals.The study also describes the adaptation methods used in susceptible areas, such as agriculture, water management, catastrophe risk reduction, and coastline protection. Despite impressive progress in renewable energy capacity, reductions in emission intensity, and international climate diplomacy, India still grapples with substantial developmental difficulties, including poverty, growing urbanisation, energy demand, regional imbalances, and climate-induced vulnerabilities. The study is qualitative and analytical, and it is based on secondary data from government publications, international climate assessments, policy documents, and scholarly literature. The results indicate that India has made great strides in merging climate governance with developmental planning, but the dilemma of combining economic growth with environmental sustainability continues to be crucial. The report finds that boosting institutional coordination, climate finance, technological innovation, and community-based adaptation measures will be imperative for India’s climate resilience and long-term sustainable development.

Keywords:- Climate Governance, Climate Change Adaptation, Sustainable Development, Renewable Energy, Environmental Policy, India’s Climate Action.