Focus: India

As India's burgeoning environmental movement continues to grow, all eyes are on a country that boasts one-sixth of the global population and remains the fourth largest aggregate emitter of greenhouse gases. From Trivandrum to Kolkata, Worldwatch is tracking and communicating key developments in India, including innovative policies, emergent on-the-ground solutions and cross-sector opportunities for India to shift to a sustainable low carbon economy.

India's Official Position on Climate Change

Learn more about India's formal position on climate change from a Q&A [PDF] produced by the Indian Government on the Road to Copenhagen.

Recent Statements and Speeches Elucidating India's Position:

Prime Minister's Address at National Ministers of Environment and Forests Conference, August 2009

Submissions to the UNFCCC from the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests, August 2009

Position statement from the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests, on July 4, 2009

Position statement from the UNFCCC talks in Bonn, Germany, on June 10, 2009

Position statement from the UNFCCC talks in Bonn, Germany on April 7, 2009.

Speech to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, on March 24, 2009, Shyam Saran, Special Envoy to the Prime Minister on Climate Change

India News and Commentary from Worldwatch

India Summit Strives for Global Access to Climate-Friendly Technologies, October 28, 2009
A high-level technology summit in Delhi made progress on several key issues that will confront governments at the international climate negotiations in December.

India Steps Up Climate Change Efforts, October 5, 2009
As international climate negotiations progress, India has shown signs of more proactive engagement both internationally and at home.

Conference Brings Attention to Himalayan Climate Threat, September 14, 2009
With climate change in the Greater Himalayas projected to affect more than a third of the global population, participants called for the plight of the region to be firmly addressed.

India Could Halve Emissions Growth, But at A Cost, Study Finds September 9, 2009
By embracing available emissions-cutting measures, India's carbon output could grow from 1.6 billion tons in 2005 to 2.8 billion tons in 2030, about half of previous projections, a new McKinsey & Company study finds.

Asian Water Supplies Require Substantial Overhaul August 18, 2009
Many Asian countries will have to import more food or improve irrigation methods to feed the 1.5 billion more people who are projected to occupy the continent by 2050, a new study finds.

India Announces Groundbreaking Solar Plan August 10, 2009
India approved expanding its current 3 megawatts of solar energy to 20 gigawatts by 2020 and 200 gigawatts by 2050. The target has been heralded for its scale and ambition.

Indian Government Opens Climate Debate to Youth August 5, 2009
India set a new international standard last month for engaging youth on environmental policy by inviting the Indian Youth Climate Network to comment on climate change regulations.

Vandana Shiva on Sustaining India's Agriculture July 13, 2009
Environmental activist Vandana Shiva has been working to build an organic agriculture movement across India for the past 22 years through the Navdanya Trust. Worldwatch India Fellow Anna da Costa interviewed Shiva about the connections between sustainable agriculture, climate change, and poverty alleviation.

OPINION: Climate Wake-Up Call in Italy July 10, 2009
The failure to reach agreement on emissions reductions targets in Italy this week was a timely reminder that world leaders have made little progress in bridging the key issues that must be resolved in order to achieve an effective climate agreement.

Crafting a Carbon Market from India's Grassroots July 8, 2009
Veda Climate Change Solutions Limited is developing a network of tree planting operations to promote livelihood creation across six rural districts and sequester India's greenhouse gases.

Solar Plan Could Revolutionize India's Energy Sector May 29, 2009
A leaked government report offers a glimpse into India's potential: 200,000 megawatts of solar energy generation capacity by 2050. But what would it take?

India Election May Renew Climate Leadership May 21, 2009
India re-elected the United Progressive Alliance. Although the result is unlikely to shift India's approach to climate change, several young candidates may influence the country's stance.

Grassroots Network Abuzz with Clean Tech Ideas May 18, 2009
The Honey Bee Network connects grassroots innovators and traditional knowledge holders with the global economic market, diffusing ideas while protecting knowledge rights.

Bangladeshi Lawyer Fights Toxic Ship-Breaking April 24, 2009
Riswana Hasan, the 2009 Goldman Environment Prize recipient for Asia, led a legal battle to prevent Western nations from depositing toxin-laden ships on Bangladesh's shores.

Meeting Shyam Saran April 21, 2009
Worldwatch Fellow Anna da Costa caught up with Shyam Saran, India's Climate Change Special Envoy, to get the latest on India's position in the ongoing international climate change negotiations.

OPINION: Will India's Elections Sway Climate Policy? April 15, 2009
The leading contenders promise renewed commitments to combating climate change, promoting low-carbon energy, and safeguarding India's ecological resources. Whether the rhetoric will translate into real change remains to be seen.

What Did You Do for Earth Hour? April 7, 2009
The campaign appears to have been such a success in India that the Delhi government plans to take it monthly. Turning off the lights for an hour each month could save the city 100 megawatts a pop.

OPINION: Indian Youth Rise to Tackle Climate Crisis March 26, 2009
As the climate youth movement gains steam across India and the world, negotiators must hear not only the words of politicians, but also the voices of those whom this generational crisis will affect the most.

India Joins International Renewable Energy Agency March 20, 2009
India is the largest energy consumer to join IRENA, a multinational agency formed to help governments and private industries expand clean energy worldwide.

Climate Road Trip: An Indian Movement for Change January 5, 2009
Anna da Costa, co-director for the India Climate Solutions Project, reports on the launch of the Indian Climate Solutions Road Tour, aimed at catalyzing and inspiring climate change solutions across India.  

India Starts to Take On Climate Challenge, from State of the World 2009
Malini Mehra, founder and CEO of the Centre for Social Markets, reflects on India's unique scenario, its current approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the necessary response in this crucial year.

India Post from Worldwatch's Dateline: Copenhagen Blog

A Strong Voice: Indian Youth Fighting for 350 ppm, October 27, 2009

Reflections on a Powerless Night, October 18, 2009

The Importance of Trust Building for Progressive Climate Politics, October 17, 2009

State of the World 2009 Launches in India, October 9, 2009

Call from the Roof of the World: Himalayas in Crisis, September 15, 2009

"Time is of the essence": McKinsey report author talks options for reducing India's emissions, September. 10, 2009

India Events from Worldwatch

State of the World Launches in India, October 2009
Centre for Environment Education, Worldwatch India Partner, launches State of the World 2009 in seven cities across the country.

Worldwatch Welcomes Centre for Social Markets Delegation, May 19, 2009
A CSM briefing visit to Washington DC lends support to Indo-US climate relations.