Hundreds of thousands of Indian citizens will commence voting today in the general election of the world’s largest democracy, poised to make a consequential choice that may herald a cascade of transformations.
Under the governance of the NDA Government, India has effectively positioned itself as a global leader in climate initiatives, pledging to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. Despite substantial plans to boost renewable energy capacity, the rapid expansion of coal infrastructure presents a contrasting narrative.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India is projected to exceed China’s electricity demand by 2026, with coal-fired generation anticipated to fulfill 68 percent of this demand by that year.
Why the incorporation of climate agendas into election platforms is crucial?
With 2023 marking the hottest year recorded in at least 173 years, global average temperatures breached the critical 1.5-degree Celsius warming threshold for the first time. India, home to the largest population vulnerable to extreme weather events, has seen this proportion grow since 2010.
Moreover, India is swiftly heading towards a water crisis with its constantly expanding population, necessitating a broader focus on restoring groundwater reservoirs and rivers that remain in a deteriorated condition. Major cities and rivers nationwide grapple with significant pollution challenges.
With more than 2,700 registered political parties and 56 state-level parties in India, including six nationally recognized political entities, the leadership of the world’s largest democracy needs to prioritize not only enhancing mitigation efforts in their policies and actions but also bolstering adaptation and resilience to climate change. This is crucial to mitigate the disruption of livelihoods.
Greening of election manifestos
The Indian National Congress (INC), acknowledged for enacting some of India’s most progressive environmental laws and taking strong stances on climate issues, has also faced criticism in popular opinion for allegedly neglecting these concerns before its fall as a national power in 2014.
In response to current trends and requirements, numerous smaller political parties have made climate change a priority, emphasizing issues such as sustainable agriculture and the promotion of renewable energy.
Parties are anticipated to reevaluate their positions on the matter, unveiling fresh policies to tackle climate change, particularly in light of recent reports identifying India as one of the most susceptible nations to its effects. It appears imperative to establish where pledges for climate adaptation fit within the country’s politics ahead of the 2024 elections.
The manifesto of the INC begins by recalling the party’s previous election pledges, showcasing a firm commitment to addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. This year’s manifesto allocates two pages to environmental concerns, climate change, disaster management, water scarcity, and sanitation issues for the 2024 elections.
The party has maintained a consistent focus on these issues over the past three elections, proposing vital measures for environmental protection, including green budgeting and the establishment of an independent body dedicated to this cause.
The current manifesto of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) outlines goals such as achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, transitioning to non-fossil fuel energy sources, enhancing river health, attaining national air quality standards in 60 cities, and bolstering resilience against climate disasters.
Despite receiving attention during elections, it faces significant scrutiny from environmentalists. For example, environmentalists such as Bhavreen Kandhari noted that although parties have started to acknowledge these issues, they remain at the bottom of the priority list.
Is the level of attention adequate, or are there steps missing?
While election agendas may gain traction by promising significant future achievements, such as attaining net-zero emissions by 2070, there are often overlooked aspects that fail to garner attention. These include the pollution plaguing all major and minor rivers due to unsustainable water extraction and untreated waste disposal, as well as recurring waste management crises in the country’s metropolitan areas.
On the other side of the coin, political parties mirror the concerns of their electorate, and unfortunately, the environment does not rank high among the majority of voters’ priorities. This is not to say that people are unaffected by environmental pollution and degradation.
Moreover, the strategy employed to address these issues often leans towards a top-down approach, exacerbated by inadequate information provided to voters and their limited involvement, leaving grassroots concerns largely unaddressed. Therefore, it is crucial to learn from the repercussions and comprehend the interconnectedness of these concerns in practice.