India and Climate Change Policy: Between Diplomatic Defensiveness and Industrial Transformation

Abstract

This article focuses on the evolution of India's climate change policy over the last decade and the key driving factors that have led to changes in the nature of this policy. It argues that although India appears to be taking a defensive position in relation to climate change in the international arena; in fact there have been a large number of measures that have been initiated since 1990 within India and these measures collectively are likely to lead to a decoupling of greenhouse gas emissions from energy development and possibly even economic growth. Nevertheless, the government is likely to adopt a cautious position in international negotiations in order to avoid taking on legally binding quantitative commitments and because of their position that the onus lies on the developed countries to take action. Thus although de facto India is taking a number of climate related no regret measures, it will be unwilling to take on de jure commitments in the short-term.

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