Only economic growth will allow India to lift hundreds of millions of its citizens out of extreme poverty. But rapid Indian development also increases pressure on the global climate and unique ecosystems. How will India face this dilemma?
 | Picture Gallery (click on the picture to start)A rickshaw puller transports a commuter along a flooded road in Kolkata in July 2007. Monsoon rains have become more erratic in recent years (Photo: Reuters) |
India is home to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and is currently the fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With nearly a quarter of its population living below the poverty line, the government is pursuing an ambitious development agenda.
Soaring Energy Consumption
Growth in India is expected to cause energy consumption to quadruple from 2005 levels by the year 2030. If current trends continue, most of this energy will be produced from coal-fired power plants, making India one of the top-three greenhouse-gas-emitting countries by 2025.
Against this backdrop India’s government is resisting international pressure to curb its greenhouse emissions. As a developing country India is exempt from mandatory caps on emissions. Developed countries, however, are demanding binding commitments from India. But with per capita emissions less than one tenth that of the average American, India says that it will not contemplate emissions cuts unless industrialized nations radically cut their emissions first.
Global Warming Impacts
Nevertheless, Indian authorities may adjust their “development-versus-climate protection” view. Recent international reports on climate change, such as the 2007 UN climate change report, presented grim environmental and economic scenarios for India if climate change continues unabated.
 | World Water Situation (click on the image to start)A Photo Slideshow with Expert Commentary |
Some impacts of global warming have already become visible in India. Monsoon rains have become less predictable, glaciers are melting, more floods and droughts occur, and mangrove forests are disappearing at an alarming rate. Public health, biodiversity, agricultural production, access to drinking water, and even national security will be affected.
Indian policymakers are reacting to these threats by launching climate-friendly policies, especially when they serve the country’s development agenda. For example, the government will try to reduce the nation's energy intensity by 20 percent per unit of GDP between 2007–08 to 2016–17.
Climate Change Mitigation
Meanwhile big domestic players in the renewable energy sector, such as Suzlon Energy and Tata-BP Solar, are ahead of politicians, making big investments in large-scale products throughout the country.
Answering energy and development needs in a sustainable way will be a big challenge for India this century. But the country could benefit from “leapfrogging” – to develop in the way that makes use of the best and cleanest technologies, policies and resources available without the decades of learning needed to get there.
editor: Valdis Wish
publishing date: July 4, 2007
updated: July 8, 2009
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