Unveiling India’s Green Diplomacy: A Call for Collective Action Using Effective Climate Communication – Sustainability News

Author: Dr. Archana Shrivastava

The International Energy Agency (IEA) report 2021 provides a comprehensive overview of Indiaenergy scenario, highlighting key trends in the country’s energy consumption and production and policy initiatives. The report highlights that although India consumes only 6% of the world’s primary energy, it is the third largest national emitter, emitting 2.4 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide, after China and the United States (IEA, 2021). Despite diversification efforts, coal remains the main source of electricity in India. The country’s energy demand is expected to increase significantly due to demographic expansion, rapid urbanization and economic growth.

Research shows that from 1901 to 2018, the average temperature in India increased by 0.7°C. The effects of this climate change are already visible in the form of water shortages and changed growing seasons. As a country with 17 percent of the world’s population, India has a responsibility to balance development with environmental protection. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Aiming to achieve 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, the country is taking impressive steps to expand its renewable energy capacity, particularly solar and wind power.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the high-level segment at COP 28 in the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed to host CoP 33 in 2028 in India, demonstrating India’s commitment to global environmental leadership. The country has played a constructive role in international climate negotiations and has implemented various national policies aimed at improving energy efficiency and developing clean energy sources. Through global collaboration, India has launched the Green Credit Initiative in partnership with the United Arab Emirates. This initiative highlights the importance of economic strategies aligned with environmental goals. The updated National Action Plan on Climate Change will aim to reduce emission intensity by 45% by 2030. According to the PIB 2022 report prepared by the Government of India, the country aims to obtain 50% of its cumulative electricity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030 The 2020 Human Development Report shows that to address these challenges, India is focusing on expanding its solar PV capacity and increasing renewable capacity to 450 GW by 2030.

In addition to political commitments, the involvement of the Indian people is crucial to the success of these strategies. With the aim of examining how aware Indians are about global warming and what beliefs, attitudes and behaviors they may have in support of the cause, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication conducted a survey of the Indian population.

The survey found that almost half of the population knows very little about global warming, with only 10% saying they know “a lot.” However, the study also pointed out that although the term “global warming” was not well understood, the vast majority of Indians expressed concern about environmental threats affecting their local areas. They shared concerns about agricultural pests and diseases (87%), species extinction (86%), severe heat waves (85%), droughts and water shortages (85%), air pollution (85%), hunger and food shortages (83 %), cyclones (76%) and floods (71%). According to the report, 85% of people have experienced the effects of global warming, and 52% believe it is mainly caused by human activities. Moreover, the report also presented encouraging results showing that many Indians believe that their family and friends (78%), local communities (68%), and state and local governments (62%) can help prepare for extreme events. climatic conditions and respond to them. issues.

As we navigate the intersection of populations, policies and their implementation, effective communication is essential to increasing awareness and driving action to mitigate global warming. Raising awareness of the seriousness of the climate crisis, its local manifestations and the necessary mitigation and adaptation actions is crucial. Climate communicators must communicate science in an accessible way and inspire individuals, communities and decision-makers to take meaningful steps. Robust climate communication can trigger behavioral change, galvanize climate action and ensure marginalized communities receive the support they need.

The challenge that climate communication experts in India may face is to address diverse communities, from rural farmers to urban dwellers. The best way is to adapt messages to the local context by incorporating traditional knowledge. This can increase the relevance and impact of climate communication efforts, leading to more inclusive and effective climate action.

However, climate communication is complex. Balancing the urgency of the situation with maintaining hope while translating the science into relatable terms requires a differentiated approach. Failure to do so can lead to apathy, denial or reaction, hindering progress. Effective climate communication must go beyond simply stating facts; it requires crafting narratives that speak to diverse audiences, highlighting personal and community impact, and offering solutions that empower action. Only with a sustainable and strategic approach to climate communication can we bring about the transformational change needed to secure a sustainable future for India and the world. By prioritizing climate communication, we can empower India lead the way in building a more resilient and sustainable future. By leveraging various media channels, storytelling techniques and community-based approaches, you can reach and engage a wide range of stakeholders.

The author is Associate Professor, Birla Inst. Management Technology– BIMTECH.

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