What is the status of climate politics in India – the 3rd largest emitter of greenhouse gases or climate pollution – and what is India’s position as the world’s fastest growing economy that still must provide access to electricity to 300 million people?

At COP-21 in Paris, the big win for India was the inclusion of the phrase “common but differentiated responsibilities” recognizing the different national circumstances of developed and developing countries. Over the years, Indian climate politics has been shaped by the need to balance dual but contradictory objectives: India needs an effective climate agreement to protect its population against climate change impacts, but it also needs sufficient low-cost energy for development and growth.

At COP-21, countries committed to aim to keep global temperatures from rising more than 2°C (3.6°F) by 2100 with an ideal target of keeping temperature rise below 1.5°C (2.7°F). The Agreement will also encourage trillions of dollars of capital to be spent adapting to the effects of climate change—including infrastructure like sea walls and programs to deal with poor soil—and developing renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.

See:  http://clean-futures.com/resources/ OR  http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2799605